Storm Misha Lashes Lebanon, Flooding Roads, Pouring Hail
The first major storm of the season lashed Lebanon on Friday with downpours and heavy winds throughout the country.
Heavy rain caused flooding in the Shekka tunnel north of Beirut, while big hailstones broke car windows in some areas.
The National News Agency reported that roads were flooded in the Batroun region.
The local highway was also coated at one point with hail, while rainwater seeped into schools and other establishments.
In the northern city of Tripoli, the majority of potholes were flooded due to the poor infrastructure, resulting in traffic in the area.
The first snowfall was also reported in the region.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the Dinnieh region as the heavy rain and consequent flooding caused congested traffic, most notably at the Bakhoun-Taran bridge.
The thunderstorm was accompanied by a marked drop in temperature.
Director General of Agricultural Scientific Research Michel Frem said that the storm is expected to intensify on Friday and and Saturday and weaken on Sunday.
Snow is expected fall at altitudes of 1800 meters.
The storm will intensify again on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, accompanied with lower temperatures.
M.T.
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