Syria Braces for Unstable Weather, Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms
Syria is set to experience a period of atmospheric instability in the coming days, with authorities issuing warnings of heavy rainfall, strong thunderstorms, and hail. The weather pattern is expected to produce powerful downdrafts that may result in dust storms in various regions.
According to official data, this weather front will begin on Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday evening, October 3. A second wave is expected to develop from Sunday evening, October 4, lasting until Monday afternoon, October 5.
Initial rainfall is projected to concentrate on the coastal regions, the northwest, and parts of the western central region. The unsettled weather will subsequently shift toward the western and northern countryside of Damascus, as well as portions of Homs and Hama provinces, eventually reaching Raqqa, Al-Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor.
In response to these conditions, the Early Warning and Preparedness Department has urged citizens to take precautionary measures. Residents are strongly advised to stay away from valleys and low-lying areas during rainfall and to avoid crossing water channels in mountainous regions. Furthermore, officials cautioned against attempting to travel on roads that have been flooded or those covered by accumulated hail.
Regarding the risks associated with thunderstorms, the department recommended avoiding the use of mobile phones or taking photographs in open areas. The public is also advised to stay clear of bodies of water and elevated locations. Furthermore, it is essential to disconnect solar power systems and sensitive electronic devices during intense storm activity.
For road safety, authorities emphasized the importance of checking vehicle readiness, particularly brakes and windshield wipers. Drivers are urged to reduce speed and exercise extreme caution when navigating turns and slopes.
Additional recommendations address the high winds and dust storms. Officials advised securing tents and any objects that could be blown away by strong gusts, and warned against standing near damaged buildings or cracked walls. For the coastal strip, strict warnings have been issued to fishermen and boat owners against sailing or swimming due to turbulent sea conditions, with the potential for the formation of waterspouts. Authorities also recommended that citizens remain indoors during periods of heavy dust and reduce speed on public roads to mitigate the risk of accidents caused by low horizontal visibility.
This weather system follows a similar period of atmospheric instability that affected the country from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening, which brought heavy rainfall and active winds to a wide geographic area.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
