In pics: Alexandria hit by strong thunderstorms, unstable weather; alert level raised

CAIRO - 31 May 2025: A wave of weather fluctuations hit Alexandria Governorate in the early hours of Saturday morning, with strong winds accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, and sea waves exceeding one and a half meters.

 

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority expects Saturday to witness spring-like weather, with temperatures tending to be hot during the day in the north of the country, including Greater Cairo and northern Upper Egypt. Temperatures will be very hot in southern Upper Egypt, and moderate at night in most parts of the country.

 

Active winds are expected today across most parts of the country, potentially stirring up sand and dust in open areas.

 

Light rain is also expected in southern Lower Egypt, and light to moderate rain, sometimes accompanied by thunder, is expected on the western coasts and northern Lower Egypt.

 

 

Unstable weather conditions

 

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, Governor of Alexandria, monitored the repercussions of the unstable weather conditions, which had peaked a short while ago.

 

He raised the alert level across all executive bodies in the coastal province.

 

He also emphasized the need to raise the level of preparedness across all executive agencies in the governorate to deal with this situation, which indicates that the governorate will be exposed to rain and winds of varying intensity, possibly accompanied by thunder.

 

Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled instructed all executive agencies to intensify their field presence around the clock to monitor the drainage of rainwater and ensure smooth traffic flow, in full coordination with the sewage company.

 

 

His Excellency also directed officials in the governorate's operations room and control center to immediately monitor the situation and monitor any resulting repercussions.

 

The governor confirmed that municipal executive agencies are intervening promptly to remove accumulated rainwater and address damage caused by strong winds that have swept through the area, which lies in northern Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea.

He said that emergency hotlines and call centers across the governorate remain operational 24/7 to receive urgent complaints from residents.

 

 

Rapid response teams deployed

 

Dr. Amal Imam, the Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), stated that the Red Crescent has deployed equipped rapid response teams to deal with the repercussions of the severe weather and flooding in Alexandria Governorate.

These teams include four-wheel drive vehicles to access affected areas and provide immediate support for stranded vehicles and impacted citizens, she said.

In exclusive remarks to MENA on Saturday, Imam added that “The teams are also equipped with specialized isolation gear to protect both volunteers and citizens. Field guidance has been provided for citizens on how to act safely in such conditions to ensure their safety until the weather stabilizes.”

 

 

She noted that a full state of emergency has been declared at the Red Crescent’s Alexandria branch, and that emergency teams are operating in full coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent’s central operations room to ensure a rapid and organized response.

She emphasized that the intervention efforts are being closely supervised and monitored by Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity and Vice Board Chairperson of the Red Crescent, who is following field operations around-the- clock and allocating necessary resources to support the affected areas as quickly as possible. 

 

 

Medical teams on maximum alert 

 

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, stated that, as part of proactive directives to ensure the safety of citizens, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, has directed all healthcare facilities and medical teams in Alexandria Governorate to be on maximum alert due to the unprecedented weather conditions the governorate is experiencing.

 

The spokesperson confirmed that all hospitals and healthcare units in the governorate are operating at full capacity, reinforced by additional medical teams to respond to any emergency. He emphasized the provision of all necessary medical supplies and medications.