In light of
Alexa storm that swept Lebanon, snow has been falling since Tuesday evening in the mountainous regions at an altitude of 500 meters and leaving various roads blocked.
Meanwhile, coastal regions witnessed heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Coastal road conditions:
Traffic in various regions of Beirut was considered as normal especially in Dbayeh, and Hay el-Solom; however, severe traffic jam was witnessed on the western route of the Dora highway towards Beirut.
Meanwhile, the airport road remained passable for all cars, while the road from Al-Sayyad towards Ashrafief witnessed a severe traffic jam, but Internal Security Forces worked on facilitating the traffic flow.
Mountainous road conditions:
Blocked roads:
The Directorate General of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division reported on Wednesday that the Ouyoun al-Siman-Hadath Baalbek as well as the roads of Ehmej, Laqlouq, al-Mnaytra-Hadath Baalbek, Afqa, and Lasa are all blocked due to heavy snowfall.
The roads of Kefraya-Maaser el-Shouf, Aynata-al-Arz, Hadath Baalbek-Ouyoun al-Siman-Hermel-Qasr, Hadat el-Jebbeh-Tannourine, Qbayyat-Hermel, and Wata Meshmesh-Fnaydek were also reported as blocked.
The road of Ehden as well as that of Sirjbel-Hermel was are also blocked due to snow.
The Dahr el-Baydar international road was reopened after being closed due to heavy snowfall.
In Hermel, snow was accompanied with a severe decrease in the temperature causing the accumulation of 30 centimeters of snow.
Work at markets, governmental and public institutions was paralyzed due to the bad weather conditions. Red Cross teams, as well as Civil Defense members were put under high alert, and ISF members conducted patrols to provide assistance for citizens.
Heavy snowfall blocked the road between Al-Danniyeh and Hermel, while private and public schools closed to comply with the circular issued on Tuesday by caretaker Education Minister Hassan Diab.
In Arsal, more than 30 centimeters of snow were accumulated, while residents are trying to help more than 30 thousand Syrian refugees who are in dire need for heating and food.
Passable roads:
The roads of Kfardebian-Ouyoun al-Siman, Zahle-Dhour Choueir, Deir el-Ahmar-Aynata-Yammouneh are still passable for equipped vehicles.
Meanwhile, ISF members set a checkpoint at the junction of Aley-Ain el-Jdided, and another in Bhamdoun; preventing trucks from crossing towards Bekaa so they do not obstruct the work of bulldozers that are working to keep the Dahr el-Baydar and Mdayrej roads open.
Traffic was normal at the international road from Bhamdoun towards Bekaa and vice versa.
Towns above the altitude of 1,200 meters in North Lebanon's Al- Danniyeh were all covered with snow.
Heavy rain was witnessed in various regions of Akkar, and snow fell in regions that are higher than 1,100 meters above sea level.
The Akkar town of Al-Bireh which is 600 meters above sea level was all covered with snow.
As for Baalbek, accumulated snow in mountainous regions reached almost 15 centimeters; while in plain areas it became 3 to 5 centimeters.
The international road remained passable for all cars while that towards mountainous regions was passable for equipped vehicles. It is worth noting that the Baalbek-Hermel road is still passable for all vehicles.
Elsewhere, the storm intensified progressively in South Lebanon, mainly in the town of Bent Jbeil where the heavy rainfall caused floods and formed small swamps on the roads, while heavy fog covered the towns of Maroun al-Ras, al-Sultaniyeh, Rmeish and Ain Ebel.
In Aley and the region of upper Metn, the mountainous roads were all passable, while a normal traffic movement was reported.
In Sawfar and the mountainous towns of Aley, the roads were drivable, except in the towns of Jiwar al-Hawz and Kfarsalwan where snow covered the sides of the roads.
To watch Maytham Kassir's report, please click on the video above.