Heavy snow blocks many roads in Lebanon

A severe snowstorm blocked major roads in Lebanon and caused considerable damage to crops and downed power lines in several areas.

Dahr al-Baidar road, part of the main Beirut-Damascus highway remains blocked despite the fact that snowplows have been were working round the clock to clear the snow.

Wind speeds of about 100 kilometers per hour also pounded the Lebanese coastal regions.

The Strong wind in the northern district of Akkar blocked the international highway of al-Abdeh-Abboudiyeh after it toppled trees.

The wind also damaged the boats of fishermen and tore off several advertisement billboards along the coastal highway.

In Tyre in southern Lebanon, the strong wind caused major damage to crops in the valleys of Tyre and Naqoura.

The Metn roads of Qarnayel, Kfarselwan, Tarshish remain closed due to heavy snow, but Aley and Ain Dareh roads are now open according to weather reports .

Severe weather conditions struck Lebanon Friday with heavy snow and torrential rains in different parts of the country.

Several layers of snow covered Tannourine, Batroun, causing the Tannourine-Laqlouq road in north Lebanon to be blocked.

In the Bekaa valley heavy snowfall blocked the main roads and isolated a lot of villages which also suffered from power cuts.

Ambulances, civil service units and the Internal Security Forces were placed on high alert to help stranded residents. Public works ministry bulldozers were on Saturday working to reopen roads blocked with snow.

Snow is expected to fall Saturday in areas at altitudes of 700 meters (2300 ft) and above and at altitudes of 600 meters ( 1970 ft)and above Sunday, according to the meteorology department at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.