Flash floods in Jordan claim two lives, prompt evacuation of 1 700 in Petra

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in southern Jordan on May 4, affecting the Shoubak District and Petra in Ma’an Governorate. The floods caused casualties and prompted emergency evacuations in multiple locations, including popular tourist sites.

Among those caught in the floods was a group of 18 holidaymakers in Wadi Al Nakhil, including 14 Czech nationals and several Belgian family members. A Belgian mother and her son, who were swept away by floodwaters, were found dead on May 5 following a difficult search operation. Two other children from the same family survived, while the rest of the group was rescued unharmed.

The search involved Jordanian civil defense, police, and gendarmerie forces and was complicated by adverse weather and difficult terrain. Operations were paused on Sunday night, May 4, and resumed on Monday, May 5.

In the ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, more than 1 700 of the 1 785 tourists present were evacuated on May 4. Key areas cleared included Al Khazneh, the Siq, the Roman Soldier’s Tomb, the Monastery, and the Prophet Harun slopes. No injuries were reported at the site.

The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) suspended ticket sales at noon on May 4 to ensure safety. Tourists were urged to avoid flood paths and low-lying areas. They monitored weather conditions and raised emergency levels to manage the crisis.

Historical safety measures at Petra include a dam built after a 1963 flood that killed 22 French tourists and their guide. An alarm system was added in 2014 to ensure preparedness.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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