A street in Saida is covered with garbage after heavy rains on Nov. 19, 2023. (Courtesy of: Muntasser Abdallah)
BEIRUT — Heavy rain in Lebanon that began on Saturday evening caused flooding in Saida and other areas in southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to videos of these areas sent to L'Orient Today.
Roads and agricultural fields were below water this morning, with waste accumulating in the streets as blocked drains prevented the evacuation of rainwater, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the area reported.
Civil Defense personnel were mobilized to clear the blocked channels, our correspondent added.
The situation was similar in other parts of Lebanon, notably in the localities of Harouf (Nabatieh) and Toura (east of Sour), according to our correspondent, who also reported flooded buildings and cars stranded in floodwater.
On the road between Majdel Selm and Wadi Slouki, a military vehicle belonging to the Indonesian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) overturned due to the rain, a security source told L'Orient Today. According to the state-run National News Agency (NNA), no injuries were reported.
According to the meteorological services at Beirut airport, Saturday night's precipitation was accompanied by lightening as well as violent winds, sometimes blowing at more than 80 km per hour.
At around 5 a.m., according to the weather service, the cities of Tripoli, Jbeil, and Barja were hit by torrential rain, causing flooding.
The bad weather is expected to continue until Monday morning, according to the meteorological services at Beirut airport. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, and snow is expected at altitudes of 2,000 meters and above.
Reporting contributed by Muntasser Abdallah