The storm coming from Russia claimed the lives of five people and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, crops and public infrastructure across the country
A severe storm which had raged across Lebanon over the weekend and continued Monday, worsened on Tuesday, and is set to continue till Wednesday.
The storm coming from Russia claimed the lives of five people and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, crops and public infrastructure across the country.
The storm’s effects were also felt by impoverished families and vulnerable Syrian refugees throughout the country as Lebanon braced itself for more high winds, rain and snow, which are expected to continue throughout the week.
Authorities cautioned the public to remain indoors in the coming days, with snowfall predicted as low as 500 meters above sea level Wednesday night. Accordingly, the Education Ministry announced the closure of all schools Tuesday and Wednesday.
The storm’s youngest victim was 7-month-old Youssef al-Fadel, the son of a Lebanese shepherd family in south Lebanon who was swept away by floodwaters Sunday night.The Fadels were one of several bedouin families from the Bekaa town of Deir Zannoun in east Lebanon who had camped in Jadra in the Iqlim alKharroub region east of Sidon.
Joseph Antoine Sfeir, 69, was killed when his car skidded on the Zhaima-Mansourieh road in the Metn region, authorities said Monday. A Syrian died at coldly Dahr Al-Baidar highway linking Beirut to the Bekaa Valley after he suffered a heart attack. The highway was closed in both directions except for metal chain-equipped vehicles due to heavy snowfall .
In Beirut's southern suburb, two people have died after Ghadir River in Hay Sellom flooded and swept across many houses.
In Sidon, flood waters poured into commercial and residential buildings and submerged several main roads, sweeping away cars and requiring at least one rescue operation by the Civil Defense.
Northern Lebanon was impacted less but still faced flooding and property damage, including the Ebrine municipality in the Batroun region which was flooded along with the library causing minor property damage.
