Khaberni - A number of social media pages and some news websites have circulated news and warnings of a dust storm that will hit Egypt starting from today, Tuesday, and lasting for five consecutive days.
"Alarabiya.net" and "Alhadath.net" contacted the Egyptian Meteorological Authority to find out the truth and details about the weather in the coming days and some tips for safe driving in the rain.
Dr. Manar Ghanem, a member of the media center at the General Authority of Meteorology, in exclusive statements to "Alarabiya.net" and "Alhadath.net" denied the rumors about the arrival of a dust storm starting from Tuesday and lasting for five days, until next Saturday. She revealed that the weather is stable springlike with some usual atmospheric phenomena for this period, and there are no other severe phenomena expected in the upcoming period.
She continued: The maps only indicate that today, Tuesday, there is an increased chance of rain, ranging from light to moderate, which might be thunderous on the coasts and provinces facing the Mediterranean Sea and the northern parts of Egypt, with light rain chances in Greater Cairo, the Suez Gulf region, Sinai, and the areas of Shalateen and Halayeb.
Ghanem also explained that wind activity is noticeable in most provinces today, Tuesday, with speeds between 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. We might see sand stirring up dust in some provinces of Upper Egypt, the Red Sea, and Sinai. There is fog in the early morning, and caution is advised regarding lightning and thunder resulting from thunderclouds by avoiding standing near lamp posts, trees, and dilapidated buildings. By Thursday, the chances of rain decrease, and a rise in temperatures begins, with the importance of following the weather forecast.
On his part, Major General Esam Ashour, former Assistant Minister of the Egyptian Interior for Traffic, in exclusive statements to "Alarabiya.net" and "Alhadath.net" stated: The first safety rule for driving in the rain is to reduce speed, and many other tips are crucial, including turning on the headlights during rain even during daylight hours, as it helps improve visibility for other drivers, especially in conditions of water mist or heavy rainfall that significantly reduces visibility.
Furthermore, Major General Esam Ashour added: It's also important to be aware that puddles can pose a risk to drivers, as they might conceal potholes or obstacles on the road. Thus, it is preferable to avoid passing through roads with large water accumulations, especially in low-lying or unpaved areas.
He emphasized the importance of conducting a quick check of the vehicle before driving in rainy conditions, ensuring the tires are safe, brakes are efficient, and the windshield washer fluid level is appropriate, as well as making sure that both the front and back lights are functioning well, complying with instructions of traffic officers and road signs on highways, and avoiding driving in severe weather conditions unless absolutely necessary, to maintain everyone's safety.
