The Ministry of Water and Irrigation/Jordan Valley Authority has appealed not to picnic or swim near various water sites for fear of drowning.

In a statement Thursday, the authority appealed to citizens, tourists and visitors in areas near water sites, dams and irrigation channels, especially in the Jordan Valley near the King Abdullah Canal, during the weekend, with the Kingdom witnessing a rise in temperatures, not to approach these dangerous sites and to take calls and campaigns. Awareness and guidelines that confirm that these sites are not intended for swimming or hiking or approaching them.

She indicated that the reason is “because of this danger to their lives and the lives of their families in light of the increase in repeated drowning cases from time to time, stressing that indifference on the part of some is a major reason for the drowning cases that we witness from time to time.”

She stressed all concerned, civil institutions and municipalities that are located near these sites within their areas of the need to take measures to prevent anyone from being allowed to approach these dangerous water sites, as well as owners of agricultural units, farmers and residents of agricultural areas.

She also demanded that no one be allowed to swim in agricultural ponds or water bodies inside their farms, noting that the Ministry/Jordan Valley Authority continues to take many measures to protect the various water sources, especially the King Abdullah Canal, ponds and various water sources.

She added that the cases of recklessness and failure to follow the instructions issued by the Ministry and the Authority in order to preserve these facilities and protect the lives of citizens, constitute a disturbing phenomenon for the cadres of the Jordan Valley Authority, which is making exceptional efforts to prevent cases of swimming in these sites through multiple programs that include monitors and foot and mobile patrols along the length of the canal. King Abdullah, which extends for a distance of 110 km, in addition to the permanent monitoring through the Security and Protection Unit, warning instructions, and the fences and fences located on these sites to protect them and prevent them from pollution because they are surface water that is used for drinking purposes mainly as well as for agriculture.

And she added that, “despite the presence of many warning signs and the work of necessary fences and retaining walls in water sites along with awareness programs, campaigns and appeals to the people of the regions and citizens through the media, the authority is always surprised by the attack on the means of protection at various times and swimming, which causes Cases of drowning, unfortunately, especially for children and their families, as a result of the continuous recklessness and irresponsible behavior of their families, either by swimming or hiking near them, and disregarding these calls.