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Snow storm in Beirut for the first time in 3 years (Daily Star)
Snow battered Beirut on Tuesday morning as temperatures continued to drop and rain drenched the country in the worst winter storm this season.
Though the storm is expected
to recede by today, temperatures will remain low. |
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Moreover ice and snow will reach 700 meters above sea level in the days ahead, Beirut International Airport's Meteorological Department predicts.
Because the temperature rose above zero Celsius in Beirut the snow melted quickly. At higher altitudes however, thick snow will remain for many days.
Roads in remote areas of Batroun had to be closed because of heavy rain and snow and were shrouded in fog with a treacherous coating of ice. Schools and commercial shops remained closed.
The main road of Dahr al-Baidar-Chtaura stayed open to cars equipped with snow chains but the Dhour Choueir road was completely cut off.
Meanwhile, the country is still experiencing severe power cuts. These are mainly due to the inability of fuel oil ships to unload their cargos (of almost 120 tons) due to the high seas and to breakdowns at the Zahrani power plant.
Snow-sweepers provided by the Civil Defense and Public Works and Transport Ministry were in constant use to try and reopen roads. The unrelenting blizzard impeded these efforts.
Though the storm has now raged for two consecutive weeks, no new casualties have been reported. The storm claimed the life of a Syrian worker on Sunday.
Beirut
14-02-2005
Redaction
The Daily Star
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