• Jordanian women work on a harvest of green beans at a farm in Ghor al-Haditha, around 80km (50 miles) south of the capital Amman. Experts say the country is in the grip of one of the most severe droughts in its history, but many warn the worst is yet to come. AFP
    Jordanian women work on a harvest of green beans at a farm in Ghor al-Haditha, around 80km (50 miles) south of the capital Amman. Experts say the country is in the grip of one of the most severe droughts in its history, but many warn the worst is yet to come. AFP
  • Tomato plants are completely dried out because of a lack of irrigation water. AFP
    Tomato plants are completely dried out because of a lack of irrigation water. AFP
  • Jordan's Ministry of Environment says it is among the world's four most water-deficient countries and fears global warming will make the situation even worse. AFP
    Jordan's Ministry of Environment says it is among the world's four most water-deficient countries and fears global warming will make the situation even worse. AFP
  • The Mujib Dam in the Madaba Governorate is below normal capacity. AFP
    The Mujib Dam in the Madaba Governorate is below normal capacity. AFP
  • Jordan's fertile areas are home to many gardens and farmlands, but drought has taken a heavy toll. AFP
    Jordan's fertile areas are home to many gardens and farmlands, but drought has taken a heavy toll. AFP
  • The financial losses have been huge as people are unable to sell any of their produce. AFP
    The financial losses have been huge as people are unable to sell any of their produce. AFP
  • To make matters worse, prices slumped after exports dropped last year due to Covid-19-related border closures. AFP
    To make matters worse, prices slumped after exports dropped last year due to Covid-19-related border closures. AFP
  • Jordan's rainy season, which usually runs from October to the end of April, was exceptionally poor. AFP
    Jordan's rainy season, which usually runs from October to the end of April, was exceptionally poor. AFP
  • The World Bank says the mean annual temperature is expected to increase by two degrees Celsius and rainfall decrease by a fifth by 2050, meaning farmers will be left counting the costs. AFP
    The World Bank says the mean annual temperature is expected to increase by two degrees Celsius and rainfall decrease by a fifth by 2050, meaning farmers will be left counting the costs. AFP
  • Beyond crop irrigation, the drought could also reduce access to essential drinking water. AFP
    Beyond crop irrigation, the drought could also reduce access to essential drinking water. AFP

MENA

Jordan in grip of severe drought - in pictures

Experts say the worst may still be to come

The National

May 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Dubai World Cup Carnival card

6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m

8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections

6.30pm: Final Song

7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo

7.40pm: Dubai Icon

8.15pm: Dubai Legacy

8.50pm: Drafted

9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Result

UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')

UAE rugby in numbers

5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons

700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams

Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams

Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season

Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season

Scorline

Iraq 1-0 UAE

Iraq Hussein 28’

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The specs

Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Power: 300hp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: Dh189,900

On sale: now

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