Locals should stay indoors, avoid walking under billboards as sandstorm hits Egypt: EMA

Locals should stay indoors, avoid walking under billboards as sandstorm hits Egypt: EMA

CAIRO – 1 June 2023: The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) has urged locals to stay indoors, avoid walking under billboards and wear a mask as a sandstorm has hit major areas across Egypt on Thursday.

Staying indoors is highly advisable, especially for the elderly, the EMA added.

Extremely hot temperatures have been witnessed nationwide. However, the sandstorm has caused temperature to drop in Greater Cairo by 7 degrees to reach 32 degrees Celsius.

Light rain was also seen in many areas.

Greater Cairo saw many cases of light pools and giant billboards falling during the sandstorm today, some of which led to traffic congestion.

In the 6th of October City, a giant billboard fell on the road leading to downtown due to the storm, causing traffic to stop. The traffic operations room has been working to remove the billboard and bring traffic back to normal.

The EMA expects weather to remain dusty until Friday in the northern coast, Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, Suez Canal cities, the Gulf of Suez, Sinai and northern Upper Egypt.

The EMA expects temperatures in Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt and the northern coasts to drop from an average of 40 during daytime to around 30 starting Saturday.

Average temperatures based on the EMA expectations starting Saturday

- Cairo and Lower Egypt – Highs: 33 - Lows: 22

- Northern coasts – Highs: 28 – Lows: 20

- South Sinai – Highs: 39 – Lows: 26

- Northern Upper Egypt – Highs: 38 – Lows: 24

- Southern Upper Egypt – Highs: 42 – Lows: 28