Current unstable weather not similar to March’s deadly ‘Dragon Storm’: Egypt’s Forecast

CAIRO – 21 October 2020: News about unstable weather hitting the country this week has worried many Egyptians on social media, as it reminded them of a wave of bad weather that killed 20 people in March 2020.

Many social media users commented satirically on the news, expecting the same scenario, which led them to stay at home, and was followed by a lockdown due to hike in COVID-19 infection rates.

The reason social media users recalled this scenario might be due to the recent increase in announced coronavirus cases amid rising warnings of a second wave of the virus emerging in Europe and possibly hitting the region anytime.

However, the General Authority of Meteorology re-assured citizens that the current wave is not the same as March’s wave, the “Dragon Storm”, which strongly battered the country with torrential rains, and caused several deaths.

“Expected rainfall will be moderate, and cannot be compared to March’s rains,” said Dr. Eman Shaker, undersecretary of Remote Sensing Center at the General Authority of Meteorology, adding “social media sites have caused a stir, and there is no reason for concern.”

She continued saying that she expects a decline in temperature to be witnessed as of Thursday, and until Sunday, where Cairo will record highs of 25 degrees Celsius.

She also explained that rains will fall on northern coasts, Lower Egypt, Suez Canal cities and Cairo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with expected floods in some areas including: northern and central Sinai.