Mohammed Mar'i Saudi Gazette RAMALLAH – A fierce winter storm that has been raging since Friday led to floods in several areas in West Bank cities as well as interurban roads. The Palestinian Civil Defense Department said that some 20 homes in the West Bank city of Nablus were flooded following the heavy rain in the area. The department said that its residents were evacuated and firefighters began bumping the water. The department added that several streets in Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Ramallah, Hebron and Bethlehem were flooded. It added that the agricultural areas in Qalqilyah flooded after the Israeli occupation authorities closed the drainage system near the separation wall. It added that certain roads in lower areas were shut down due to danger but many vehicles were left stranded. According to the department, strong winds knocked out antennas. Meanwhile, the head of Islamic Waqf department in occupied Jerusalem, Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, said that four trees fell in the Al-Aqsa Mosque Plaza because of the high winds. Yousef Abu As'ad, the director of Palestinian Meteorological Service, said that the people should brace themselves for large amounts of rainfall in the next few days, as well as very strong winds and snowfall later this week in Jerusalem. The snow, As'ad said, is expected from Wednesday afternoon through noon on Thursday. Abu As'ad recommended that people check their heating systems to ensure they are working properly and make sure there are no leaks in their roofs or windows. The Palestinian Transportation Ministry warned people to take precautions when driving and walking against the exceptionally intense rainfall, strong winds and possible snow. In Israel, the stormy weather caused heavy traffic, shut down roads, caused damage in several areas.
