Lebanese army assists citizens affected by storm

The army continued Saturday to assist citizens affected by the heavy snowstorm which struck the country Thursday by reopening blocked roads and sending food and medical aid to trapped villages. “The army continued to deploy in mountainous areas to relieve citizens affected by the snowstorm and open roads that lead to isolated villages in a bid to transport food and medical supplies and facilitate the transfer of patients to nearby hospitals,” the army said in a statement. For three consecutive days, heavy weather wrought havoc on mountainous areas. Even agricultural fields at low altitudes were affected, as snow fell at sea level in the coastal city of Sidon Friday. The harsh weather conditions are expected to last until Monday. In mountainous areas, where up to 1.5 meters of snow has accumulated, residents have asked for government help in opening roads and securing heating supplies, due to a run on diesel used in home heating. In its statement Saturday, the army said it has distributed large quantities of bread to villages in the Dinnieh region in north Lebanon, adding that a number of citizens were rescued Friday after their vehicles got trapped in snow in Baalbek, Hermel, Keserouan, Akkar, Dinnie, Shebaa and Rashaya. The army urged citizens to call 1701 or approach the nearest military center in case of emergencies. Meanwhile, the Internal Security Forces also released a statement Saturday asking citizens not to drive in the direction of Dahr al-Baydar due to icy roads and an accumulation of snow. “The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces asks citizens not to drive in the direction of Dahr al-Baydar given that it is now closed to all vehicles except for four-wheel drive cars,” the statement said. It added that the blocking of several roads resulted in heavy traffic in the Chtoura region. Snowfall is expected at altitudes of 700 meters above sea level Saturday and Sunday, according to the meteorological department at Rafik Hariri International Airport. On Monday, sunshine is expected to return with along with a slight rise in temperatures in regions such as the Cedars and Zahle.