Thunderstorms and heavy rain lash southern Egypt as authorities raise emergency readiness

Heavy rain and thunderstorms struck Upper Egypt and Red Sea coastal cities on Friday as authorities warned of flash floods and raised emergency readiness.

• Thunderstorms and rain hit Luxor, Qena, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh on Friday, with water accumulating in some streets.
• The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned of possible flash floods in lowlands and valley floors, and urged residents to exercise caution.
• Some areas of Hurghada saw a roughly 30-minute power outage during the rainfall on Friday night.
• Red Sea and Luxor authorities raised emergency readiness, and the Red Sea Water Company deployed vehicles and equipment to drain accumulated water.
• South Sinai Governor Ismail Kamal directed service directorates to raise preparedness levels and coordinate with traffic authorities during the rain.
• Crisis management officials activated emergency plans and deployed water-pumping equipment in Sharm El-Sheikh and El-Tur after the thunder and lightning.
• Egypt's Meteorological Authority warned thunderstorm clouds and rain would continue across southern Upper Egypt, southern Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea governorate, including Safaga.
• Egypt's Meteorological Authority warned of potential flash floods in central and southern Sinai and the Red Sea governorate on Saturday, with rains to continue through Sunday.
• The authority traced the rainfall to the seasonal Red Sea depression, also known as the Sudan seasonal low.
• The authority cautioned drivers on foggy and rainy roads and warned strong winds would stir dust and sand.
• Heavy rain, thunder and lightning also struck Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba and Saint Catherine, prompting South Sinai to declare a state of maximum emergency.
• Officials reported no casualties or property damage, with all roads open and no ports closed despite disturbed seas in the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez.