In pics: Egypt witness sand storm, drop in temperature

CAIRO – 24 March 2021: A sand storm has hit Egypt, and will continue over the coming hours, accompanied with rain and decline in temperature.

Warnings were announced to drivers to abide by determined speed on highways, and to people with respiratory problems due to the windy and dusty weather witnessed.

Heavy winds have hit Egypt since the early hours of Tuesday, reaching up to 40 knots. Cairo sees a severe decline in temperature by 8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday after a couple of days where the temperature rose dramatically recording highs of more than 30 degrees Celsius.

In Ismailia, the sand storm led to a decrease in the level of visibility in most parts. The bad weather caused a giant container ship to lodge sideways and blocked the new channel of the Suez Canal. The Egyptian Suez Canal Authority is attempting to re-direct the vessel, according to a Wednesday statement.  

A dust storm covered the skies in North and Central Sinai and caused blocking of visibility on the roads, with a severe drop in temperature.

In Marsa Matrouh, dust clouds accompanied by cold winds hit the governorate last night.

Matrouh's weather