Harsh Storm Sweeps Across Lebanon, Schools Closed

Local Editor

A scene of havoc has prevailed over many Lebanese regions, villages and cities, with floods running through streets and quarters as a result of the storm that invaded Lebanon over the weekend and continues until Wednesday.
The storm claimed the life of one man and a 6-month old baby while a 7-year-old boy was washed away in a torrent of water.
The harsh storm caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, crops and public infrastructure across the country.
Rescue teams continue to search for the 7-year child who is believed to have drowned when his family's tent was flooded overnight in the southern town of Iklim al-Kharoub, east of Sidon.

The storm comes as tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who fled the war-stricken country search for proper shelter.
Some have found shelter in Lebanese communities, but many others are living in tents, or remain homeless. These, along with Lebanese underprivileged families try to cope with the high winds, rain and snow.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel cautioned residents outside Beirut to stay at home, and urged the ministry of public works to clean the sewers.
"There is coordination between the fire department and civil defense," he said. "The Interior Ministry took all precautions 48 hours before the storm, and we are coordinating with all relevant ministries to limit the damage."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education declared Tuesday and Wednesday as days of school closure to guarantee the safety of children.

According to meteorology centers, this storm is one of the strongest to hit Lebanon since more than two decades.

In Sidon, flood waters poured into commercial and residential buildings and inundated several main roads, sweeping away cars.

 As of Monday night, the Dahr al-Baidar highway linking Beirut to the Bekaa Valley was closed in both directions except for metal chain-equipped vehicles due to heavy snowfall.

The stormy weather is expected to continue most of the week as wind speeds reach 80 kilometers per hour and snow expected as low as 300 meters above sea level which will cause very low temperatures across the country.

Source: Websites, edited by moqawama.org