Egypt declares state of emergency due to bad weather

CAIRO- 24 November 2024: The Egyptian Ministry of Local Development has instructed the governorates to declare a state of emergency in response to the severe weather and rainfall affecting several regions.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) announced that a weather trough centered over the Mediterranean Sea will bring increased wind activity across the country. This will heighten the feeling of cold temperatures and lead to sand and dust storms in exposed areas, South Sinai, and southern Egypt.

The Ministry of Local Development has urged citizens to exercise caution, advising them to stay clear of trees, billboards, streetlights, and high-voltage power lines. Drivers are also advised to reduce speed, maintain safe distances, and avoid high-speed travel to prevent accidents until the weather stabilizes.

Meanwhile, the General Traffic Department's operations room has declared a state of emergency to manage weather-related disruptions. The room is closely monitoring traffic flow across key roads and intersections. Any congestion or traffic disruptions, including accidents or breakdowns, will be addressed promptly with deployed cranes and relief vehicles stationed along major roads to assist stranded drivers.

In Cairo, early commuters heading to schools, universities, and workplaces were met with light to moderate rain, signaling a shift in the weather as winter begins to take hold a bit earlier than usual.

Temperatures nationwide are expected to drop by 4-5 degrees, with Cairo reaching highs of 22°C today, likely to dip further to around 20-21°C later in the week.

The north coast will experience the coolest temperatures, with highs ranging from 20-21°C. Meanwhile, southern Upper Egypt, including Luxor and Aswan, will see temperatures fall from 29°C to around 23°C in the coming days. Northern Upper Egypt will also experience a moderate cool-down, with temperatures ranging between 20-22°C throughout the week.

As rain continues to impact the forecast, motorists are urged to drive with caution and stay informed with the latest updates.