Irbid:A scientific workshop held in the Bargash area of Al-Koura District has underscored the need for enhanced cross-border cooperation among Yarmouk River Basin nations. The workshop recommended the establishment of joint monitoring and early warning systems, alongside the integration of smart technology in water resource management to address drought, climate change, and regional water security challenges.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop was a collaborative effort organized by Mutah University, Yarmouk University, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Damascus University, and the Jordanian Geographic Society. It addressed the primary water challenges impacting the Yarmouk Basin, particularly those arising from climate shifts affecting agriculture and vegetation.
Participants reviewed a water balance study of the basin from 1988 to 2020, which revealed an average annual precipitation of 264 mm, with actual evapotranspiration at 219 mm and renewable blue water availability at 45 mm, highlighting significant constraints on water resources.
Discussions also focused on future climate scenarios predicting a potential decrease in the Yarmouk River's annual transboundary flow from 127 million cubic meters to between 32 and 62 million cubic meters between 2016 and 2050. Additionally, a possible reduction in basin runoff by up to 60 percent under natural conditions was noted.
Research presented at the workshop projected temperature rises between 0.9 and 3.7 degrees Celsius by 2100, along with precipitation fluctuations ranging from a 6 percent increase to a 32 percent decrease. The implications of these trends include reduced groundwater recharge, variable inflows to the Al-Wehda Dam, increased crop water stress, declining agricultural yields, vegetation degradation, heightened desertification risks, and increased pressure on shared water resources.
The event featured participation from the Irbid Governorate Environment Protection Directorate, represented by Project Governance Committee Member Mohammad Al-Dreizi, along with representatives from various academic and scientific institutions.