The Ministry of Emergency Affairs and Disaster Management has warned that Syria will be affected by a weather disturbance accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms, with a high probability of hail and strong downdraft winds, starting from Tuesday afternoon until dawn on Saturday, October 31.
The Ministry clarified on Sunday that the disturbance will initially affect the desert regions and parts of the south, before the rainfall gradually spreads to include parts of the central region, northwest Syria, and the Jazirah region. The Ministry indicated that the weather activity will intensify on Wednesday, covering a wider area, with its impact primarily concentrated on the Jazirah, southern regions, and the desert, followed by the central and northwest regions, while the coastal areas will be the least affected during this phase.
The Ministry noted that the disturbance's impact will weaken from Wednesday evening until Saturday dawn in the southern, central, and desert regions, while it will intensify significantly in the coastal, northwest, and Jazirah regions, with heavy thunderstorms. The Ministry warned of the formation of convective cells accompanied by strong thunderstorms and hail, varying in intensity and timing from one region to another according to numerical model analysis, in addition to the possibility of strong downdraft winds stirring dust and sand, which may cause local sandstorms.
The Early Warning and Preparedness Department within the Ministry urged citizens to adhere to the following guidelines to ensure their safety, including avoiding proximity to wadis and depressions during heavy rainfall, and not risking crossing any watercourse regardless of how low the water level appears, especially in mountainous areas. It also advised against walking on roads flooded with water or covered with hail, and avoiding taking photos or using mobile phones in open areas during thunderstorms.
The Ministry added the necessity of staying away from water bodies, elevated places, electricity towers, and isolated trees during lightning and thunder, and disconnecting solar power systems and sensitive electronic devices during strong thunderstorms. It also emphasized checking the technical condition of vehicles, especially brake efficiency and windshield wipers, and reducing speed and driving with extreme caution during rainfall, particularly at curves, slopes, and road intersections.
The Ministry clarified the importance of securing tents and objects that can be blown away or fall to avoid the dangers of strong winds, and staying away from cracked buildings and walls when winds intensify or downdrafts occur. It also advised against sailing or swimming as the weather disturbance begins along the coastal strip, and urged extreme caution for fishermen and boat owners due to the possibility of waterspouts forming. It recommended avoiding leaving homes during dusty weather and reducing speed on public roads due to reduced horizontal visibility.
In the same context, these guidelines remain in effect throughout the period of the expected weather disturbance, necessitating that relevant authorities and citizens take necessary precautions to avoid potential risks.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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