Lebanon Shivers but Storm to Taper Off over the Weekend

Much of Lebanon continued to shiver and suffer in bitter cold Friday as a fierce storm dumped more snow across the country.

The blizzard has closed schools and stranded people in their homes. But meteorologists predicted storm “Windy” to subside over the weekend.

The Meteorology Department said snow fell in areas 300 meters above sea level a day after it reached Lebanon's shores.

Temperatures reached 5 degrees Celsius on the coast and -9 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas.

“Windy” is expected to dump more snow on Saturday morning but at 600 meter elevations and mainly in southern Lebanon.

The Meteorology Department said the dark clouds will give way for a sunnier weather starting Saturday afternoon despite relatively low temperatures.

Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny although icy roads will continue to pose a hazard to drivers, it said.

The Civil Defense Department said it rescued on Friday ten residents who were stranded on Dahr al-Baidar road and were traveling on foot.

The Red Cross also announced that it was ready to assist people with special medical cases and those who do dialysis.

In the Bekaa region of Zahle, municipality bulldozers rescued six citizens who were trapped in snow on the road of the Jesus the Redeemer Monastery as other bulldozers towed seven SUVs that were trapped in Ksara's heights.

Meanwhile in Rashaya, snow covered low and high areas alike, reaching a one-meter thickness, a level unseen since tens of years.

The heavy snow cut off the towns of Ain Ata, Yanta, Deir al-Ashayer, Bakka, Halwa, Aiha, Kfarqouq, Rashaya, Ain Arab, Sultan Yaacoub, Libbaya, Mayzoun and Ain al-Tineh.

The storm has so far killed around 100 goats and sheep as thousands of cattle remained trapped in the Malek, Mraymes, al-Faqiaa and al-Safineh farms.

Several cows also died in farms in Kamed al-Louz, Gaza, al-Mansoura, al-Khyara and Hawsh al-Harimeh.

In Keserwan, snow cut off the mountainous roads at the Ashqout roundabout all the way upwards to Faraya and Oyoun al-Siman.

In Northern Metn, the illegal dumping of construction debris in the stream of the Fawwar Antelias River led to a water overflow that invaded the public road.

Meanwhile, a rockslide struck the house of Marwan Ibrahim al-Abdullah in the Akkar town of Bebnin, causing extensive material damage but no casualties.

The storm also led to a power outage in the Dinniyeh district for a second consecutive day.

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab has announced the closure of schools on Friday and Saturday. A similar decision was taken by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour for nurseries.

This has been one of Lebanon’s coldest and snowiest winters in years.

G.K./Y.R.