Weather: Heavy Storm Leaves Devastating Traces Across Lebanon
19 كانون الثاني 2018 10:05
The storm that has been hitting Lebanon since yesterday has left destructive traces in different parts of the country.
The snow has isolated many villages in Arqoub region, including Shebaa, Kfarshouba, and Kfarhamam.
Bulldozers belonging to the Ministry of Works, and a number of municipalities in the affected region, swiftly reopened the roads that had been blocked with snow.
UNIFIL's Indian battalion posts in the hills of Shebaa and Kafrshuba were also isolated by snow, and schools were closed in the Hasbaya.
On the other hand, floods led to the rise of Al-Hasbani and Al-Wazzani rivers, and rain fell in the agricultural fields in Wadi Khansa, Al-Mari, and Ein Arab, causing heavy damage to crops.
In the Southern coastal city of Sidon, maritime navigation has been halted in the port of Sidon due to the high wind speed; meanwhile, fishermen were forced to stay home after tightening their nets at quay.
Also, at 8:00 am on Friday, elements of the civil defense were able to rescue eight people who had been stuck in the snow in Upper Sannine after relentless efforts since 11:00 pm last night.
Meanwhile, the snow covered all mountain heights in the province of Akkar at an altitude of 1250 meters and above. Bulldozers rushed to open public roads in these areas, especially between the provinces of Akkar and Hermel.
The storm also caused severe damage to crops and property in different Lebanese regions. A number of billboards were smashed along the coastline heading south. The strong winds also uprooted a number of trees in the banana and citrus groves in Qasmiyeh and Qaleileh. Water pools were formed due to the heavy rain in the area of Al-Hosh.
Tyre port maritime navigation has also been put to a halt for the second day due to the high waves.