As countries across the globe suspended school and events in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, Egypt was making preparations ahead of a strengthening storm.
The storm, which moved into the western Mediterranean Sea earlier this week, intensified as it moved over Egypt on Thursday, spreading heavy rain and thunderstorms across northern parts of the country.
As of Friday night, local time, officials have blamed at least 20 deaths on the storm, Al Ghad TV reported.
This satellite image shows the strong storm, nicknamed the 'dragon' storm moving from northeastern Africa into the Middle East on Friday afternoon, local time. (Photo/RAMMB)
Nicknamed the 'dragon' on social media, the storm brought widespread rainfall totals of around 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) to northern Egypt. Cairo recorded 42 mm (1.65 inches) on Thursday, and Port Said, located on the eastern coast of Egypt, was inundated with 263 mm (10.35 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours.
This amount of rainfall filled the streets with water, especially in urban and low-lying areas, and caused leaks in buildings.
Strong winds ahead of the rain also stirred dust storms like the one below captured east of Amman, Jordan, on Thursday.
Ahead of the storm's arrival in Egypt, the government prepared for the worst.
On Tuesday afternoon, local time, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly declared a suspension of schools across the country for Thursday because of the anticipated bad weather. Officials announced on Friday that suspensions would continue into Saturday.
In response, Egypt's Ministry of Health announced it was preparing for more hospital patients and ambulances with the arrival of the storm, according to Al-Jazeera Egypt.
More suspensions and cancellations followed on Wednesday. Authorities announced leave for public and private business sectors on Thursday. The Egyptian Football Association also suspended upcoming matches from Thursday through Saturday because of the adverse weather.
Nationwide, relief centers were opened on Thursday to provide shelter for anyone displaced and volunteers were on standby to assist, Masrawy, an Egyptian news outlet, reported.
On social media, some residents expressed concern that the suspensions came as a result of the weather, rather than the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 death toll stands at 80 in Egypt, according to numbers tracked by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
As the storm moved northeastward into Saturday, the threat of flooding and dust storms also navigated in that direction. However, showers were more widely separated and not as heavy as the storm began to lose strength and moisture over the Middle East.
On the northern extent of the storm, parts of Turkey and Iran, in the higher elevations, may have precipitation come in the form of snow. However, the storm will weaken by the time precipitation reaches this area, bringing less intensity.
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