Storms Pummel Middle East, Flood Roads

[senorpepr]

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Heavy rains swept across parts of the Middle East on Friday, flooding roads, downing power lines and forcing airports to close.

But in Egypt, Jordan and Israel it was dust storms that raised havoc, forcing airports to close and sending dozens of people to hospitals with breathing problems.

Heavy rains flooded streets in Beirut and caused power failures in many parts of the country.

The Beirut airport to diverted seven planes to Cyprus, Syria and Jordan. Only one plane landed Friday, a Middle East Airlines flight that touched down safely despite strong winds and poor visibility. Outgoing flights were not affected.

In the southern port of Sidon, rain storms forced the closure of the city's harbor and cut off electricity supplies and high waves broke over the beach wall. Main streets and many parked cars were submerged and palm trees were uprooted along the seaside boulevard. The storm destroyed billboards and plastic canopies erected over vegetable plots.

In neighboring Syria, dozens of roads and highways were blocked because of snow and flash floods, the official Syrian Arab News Agency said. The agency said snow was falling at altitudes of 2,640 feet.

In Egypt dust storms and howling winds forced eight airports to close. Cairo airport remained operational, but airports in Luxor, Aswan and six other cities had to close.

Eighteen domestic flights were either canceled or delayed Friday, Cairo airport officials said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.

In Jordan, dust storms and wind of up to 50 miles an hour blew across the kingdom. An official from the Civil Defense Department said electricity was cut to some parts of the capital, Amman, and some traffic lights were blown down, but no injuries were reported.

Amman International airport remained operational and no flight delays were reported.

Israelis awoke Friday to find their cars covered in dust. Many people remained indoors, and the rough weather appeared to help keep things quiet in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with no serious violence reported.

Heavy winds and dust storms forced the ports in Haifa and Ashdod to close, train service was canceled in Haifa and El Al airline flights were delayed from Tel Aviv to Cairo.

In Israel's south, sandstorms limited vision to about half a mile. More than 100 people were treated for breathing problems due to the dust storms, Israeli news media reported.