BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- A severe winter storm has pounded the Middle East for a third day, bringing with it heavy snow and floods.
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, residents struggled to walk outside as mounds of snow blanketed the streets on Friday.
Meanwhile, Gaza declared a state of emergency as floodwaters mixed with raw sewage, trapping residents inside their homes. Gaza’s sewage system has been crippled by the high cost of fuel imports from Israel.
In Jerusalem on Thursday schools cancelled classes and buses in and out of the city.
The storm has also pounded much of Lebanon and parts of northern Syria, pushing temperatures below zero.
Snow also battered most parts of central and southern Jordan, shutting down government offices, causing power disruptions, and blocking roads. Jordan expects the snowstorm to continue through early Saturday.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
Related:
Heavy snow blankets Damascus as Alexia arrives
DAMASCUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow blanketed Damascus on Friday as storm "Alexia" arrived here after hitting other Syrian cities and neighboring countries.
A mixed rain and snowfall started here on Thursday night and by Friday evening, Damascus' streets and buildings were dressed in white, a color associated with peace in a country where violent conflicts have been ongoing for almost three years. Full story
Heavy snow paralyzes routine life across Jordan
AMMAN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow paralyzed life across Jordan as storm "Alexa" continued to cover the country with a blanket of snow and bring strong wind that took off tents of dozens of Syrian refugees.
Major and minor roads across the country were blocked by Friday in spite of the authorities efforts to reopen the road. Power cuts were reported across the country, especially in the southern governorates of Karak and Tafielh, where a shortage of fuel and bread was reported. Full story