Severe Weather in 14 Arab Countries: 3 Dead, Floods, Snow, Evacuations, and School Closures

SadaNews - Fourteen Arab countries are experiencing severe weather conditions, including heavy rains, floods, and snowfall, resulting in 3 fatalities and 40 injuries in Yemen and Egypt. Precautionary measures have included the evacuation of 120 families in Syria and the suspension of classes in Iraq.

This information was reported according to official data monitored by the Anadolu Agency, issued by Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Meteorological agencies in Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia have warned of heavy rainfall.

Palestine

The Palestinian Meteorological Authority warned on Wednesday that the country will be affected on Thursday by a depression accompanied by a cold air mass and rain in most areas, which will be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, with occasional hail.

Yemen

The Yemeni government announced on Wednesday that it remains on high alert to address any climatic developments following hours after a soldier died and dozens were injured due to the rains at the Al-Wadiah border crossing with Saudi Arabia in Hadramaut province, eastern Yemen.

The Meteorological Center warned of continued rainfall of varying intensity in wide areas, with the possibility of flash floods in valleys and low-lying areas, and increased winds stirring dust in desert regions.

Egypt

A young man died in Fayoum province (center) after a wooden plank fell due to strong winds, and a woman died in Alexandria (north) due to a partial collapse caused by weather conditions in a building where she lived, according to local media reports.

Since Wednesday, Egypt has been experiencing a continuous flow of thunderstorm clouds with rain on the northwestern coast, including Alexandria, Al-Alamein, Dabaa, and Matrouh, in addition to areas of the northern delta like Beheira and Kafr al-Sheikh, according to the Meteorological Authority.

Bahrain

The Bahraini Meteorological Authority confirmed on its "X" platform on Wednesday that the kingdom is affected by moderate to heavy thunderstorm rains, with cumulus clouds over marine areas and warned of strong gusts, urging caution.

Oman

Oman's meteorological authority issued a warning on its "X" platform on Wednesday, cautioning of heavy rains.

Omani police reported varying rainfall on Wednesday in several provinces, with flowing valleys and the disruption of traffic on some roads, urging people to avoid crossing valleys and to adhere to safety procedures.

Qatar

The Qatari meteorological authority reported on its "X" platform on Wednesday that rains continue in some areas, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, with expectations of heavy rains on Thursday and Friday.

Saudi Arabia

The National Center of Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued red (severe) and orange alerts on Wednesday, indicating varying intensities of rainfall, hail, flash floods, and low visibility in several regions, including the Eastern Province.

The UAE

The UAE National Center of Meteorology warned on its "X" platform on Wednesday of the formation of cumulus clouds accompanied by rainfall and active to strong winds in some areas.

Iraq

The Iraqi government decided to suspend classes in schools, universities, and institutes on Wednesday and Thursday due to the bad weather conditions in the country, hours after several provinces made this decision.

The Ministry of Electricity announced in a statement full mobilization to confront the bad weather conditions for 24 hours to provide logistical support and assistance, in order to avoid power outages.

The Iraqi Meteorological Authority warned last Tuesday of heavy rains, hail, and flash floods until Saturday.

Syria

Raed Saleh, the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, confirmed the ongoing efforts of civil defense teams in responding to the challenging weather conditions in Hasakah province (northeast), particularly heavy rains that have caused widespread flooding.

Saleh mentioned in statements reported by the Syrian News Agency that 120 families whose homes were damaged due to flooding have been evacuated to safer areas.

The Early Warning and Preparedness Directorate in the ministry had previously warned of the effects of a depression that the country would experience until tomorrow evening (Friday).

Lebanon

Lebanon and the eastern Mediterranean basin are affected by a large-scale depression accompanied by cold air masses, leading to sometimes heavy rain, snowfall in the highlands, active winds, and thunderstorms, continuing until tomorrow evening (Friday).

The region is expected to be affected again next Sunday by another depression accompanied by cold, moist air masses with strong winds and heavy rains, continuing until the beginning of April, according to the Lebanese News Agency.

Libya

The National Meteorological Center called on citizens in the northeast of the country on Wednesday to exercise caution due to occasionally moderate to heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorm cells and active winds, which may lead to water accumulation in low areas and the possibility of flash floods and flow in some valleys.

The center also predicted that the northern and central regions of the country will be affected on Friday by a rapid depression accompanied by a drop in temperatures in the northwest, with increased cloudiness and sporadic rain in some areas of the northwest and southwest, extending on Saturday to the eastern regions.

Algeria

The National Meteorological Office in Algeria warned of rainfall in the southwestern states today (Thursday).

It clarified that the expected amounts of rain in the states of Tindouf, Bani Abbes, and Bordj Bou Arreridj range from 20 to 40 mm, and may reach 50 mm by 9 PM local time.

Meanwhile, the rainfall amounts in the states of Bechar and Adrar range from 20 to 30 mm, and may reach 40 mm by 6 PM local time.

Tunisia

The National Institute of Meteorology in Tunisia warned on Wednesday of strong winds in the northern half of the country today (Thursday), with expected rain showers in several northern provinces, including the capital Tunis.

Source: Anadolu Agency