Lebanon ravaged by snow storm, heavy rains

By Stephanie Radi and Ahmed Asmar

BEIRUT (AA) – Lebanon has been hit by a snow storm and heavy rains, in the worst weather conditions in a decade.

Snow covered several villages and towns in mountainous areas of the western Beqaa region in eastern Lebanon, the state news agency NNA reported on Thursday.

With snow accumulated up to 25 centimeters, several towns in the Rachaya district became isolated, NNA said.

Heavy rainfall was also reported in Lebanon’s coastal areas.

Municipal authorities and army have deployed snowplows and heavy machinery to reopen several roads that were blocked by the snow storm.

The Lebanese Meteorological Service said the country is experiencing cloudy weather that is causing the temperature to drop to below the seasonal averages.

Several other Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Türkiye, are also experiencing severe weather conditions with heavy rains and snowfall, particularly in their mountainous areas.