Ammon News - AQABA (Petra) Large areas in Aqaba were hit by massive flash floods triggered by a torrential downpour early today that caused havoc in the southern port city but no casualties, according to the Civil Defence Department CDD.

The rising waters had forced the closure of the border post at Durra where at least ten homes were inundated. The key road north of Aqaba was also cut off prompting motorists to use an alternative route.

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority President Kamel Mahadin, who monitored the flooding along with Aqaba governor Fawaz Rshedat, said emergency precautions had already been in place to stop flood waters from flowing into the city from various directions.

Mahadin said those measures, taken by a special panel, had helped to keep under control the levels of waters cascading from nearby hills.

He said the border was shut to travel at dawn as the storm flooded the main road and caused a power blackout at the border post. By midday, he said, repair crews were trying to fix the grid and put electric current back on at the border facility.