In Jordan’s ancient Petra, sirens warn of flash floods

PETRA, Jordan (AP) — In ancient times, Arab tribesmen protected their trading post of Petra against desert flash floods with diversion tunnels. Today, an alarm system warns visitors when flood water rushes toward what has become Jordan’s main tourist attraction.
Earlier this month, the alarms were activated for the first time. Sirens blared minutes before a torrent fed by heavy rains approached the UNESCO World Heritage site carved into rose-hued rockface. Hundreds of tourists had ti