Storm forces number of citizens to evacuate homes on edge of collapsing

The bad weather taking Lebanon by storm has forced a number of Lebanese citizens to evacuate their homes on the edge of collapsing.

Heavy rain and construction works caused the collapse of a load-bearing wall in Sharhabil east Sidon Friday night, forcing eight families to evacuate their homes avoiding the worst case scenario.

Soil expert Qassem Saleh, urban planning expert in the South and mayor of Baqsata both in charge of inspecting the building, confirmed that no actions could be taken at the time waiting for maintenance groups.

In west Bekaa and precisely in the village of Gaza, heavy rain took over houses. Residents held the municipality responsible for the disasters; in return the municipality blamed the Public Works Ministry saying that the latest works on Jeb Jenin highway failed to link the sewage system to the Litani River. 

In Baalbek, snow covered the main roads. Heavy snow surrounded Deir Al Ashayer, Yanta, Helweh, Kafar Kouk in Rachaya district where snow layers reached 60 centimeters.