Egypt’s cabinet announced that employees in both the private and public sectors would be given paid leave on Thursday in light of inclement weather conditions forecast for this weekend across the country.
The decision excluded employees in vital facilities such as drinking water and sanitation services, transportation, health care workers, mills and bakeries, and police services. Employees of these sectors will continue work normally on Thursday, according to the cabinet’s statement.
Officials are set to hold a press conference on Thursday following a ministerial meeting to reveal further details about the weather forecast for Thursday, which includes heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly also moved to close schools and universities nationwide on Thursday.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) anticipated the bad weather conditions to continue from March 12 to 14.
The EMA warned of heavy rain along the northern coasts and in Lower Egypt, possibly reaching the Suez Canal cities and the Gulf of Suez.
Thunderstorms are also predicted in some areas, with possible flooding in Sinai, the Gulf of Suez, along the Red Sea mountains and in the southern part of the country.
Winds will be active throughout the country, possibly leading to dust storms in some areas.
Saad urged citizens to exercise increased caution during abnormal weather conditions.
Heavy rains led to flooding in Cairo and other parts of Egypt in late February, prompting authorities to temporarily close schools and universities throughout the country. In October 2019, eight people died after heavy rains pummeled much of the country.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Image: The streets of Faisal area after heavy rains in the capital Cairo, Egypt, on October 22, 2019. (AFP)
