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Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily News Egypt
Severe storms paralyze Alexandria with hail, flash floods, and power outages
Severe thunderstorms and hailstorms battered Egypt's coastal city of Alexandria on Saturday, unleashing flash floods, widespread power outages, and structural damage across multiple districts. The intense weather event, described as one of the most severe in recent years, prompted an all-out emergency response from authorities. Heavy rain, hail, and even snow disrupted daily life in the city, forcing Alexandria University to postpone final exams for the 2024–2025 academic year. Local education authorities also delayed middle school exams by an hour after the storm struck at dawn, causing chaos on the city's roads. The Alexandria Port Authority announced the closure of both Alexandria and Dekheila harbours, citing dangerously high winds and surging waves. Officials said the decision was necessary to protect maritime operations and infrastructure from further damage as conditions continued to deteriorate. In a statement, the Alexandria Governorate confirmed it had raised its emergency alert to the maximum level. Civil defence units, utility crews, and traffic police were deployed citywide to clear flooded streets and restore traffic flow. Emergency teams responded to a residential building collapse in the El-Raml district and reported partial structural failures in two buildings in the Sporting area. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The storm brought down streetlights, trees, and billboards, especially along the coastal Corniche and major highways. Several eastern neighbourhoods experienced power outages, and local authorities suspended fishing activities due to the turbulent sea conditions. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned that unstable weather would persist through Sunday morning, forecasting continued thunderstorms, wind speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and dangerous wave activity across the Mediterranean coastline. Citizens were urged to remain indoors and avoid flooded or low-lying areas. To ease pressure on the overwhelmed rainwater drainage network, local officials reduced potable water pressure in parts of western Alexandria and the Montaza district. Rapid-response crews were dispatched to remove uprooted trees, debris, and infrastructure damage to improve water runoff and restore road access. The Ministry of Health raised the alert level at all public hospitals and medical units across the city. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered full emergency preparedness for ambulance teams and medical staff. According to ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, all facilities were reinforced with additional staff and supplies. 'As of now, no injuries or fatalities have been reported,' the ministry said, urging residents to follow safety guidance and remain indoors where possible. Ambulances were pre-deployed to high-traffic zones and densely populated areas in anticipation of weather-related emergencies. In parallel, Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy activated a central operations room to coordinate with local authorities. Regional offices raised their emergency status, and outreach teams were deployed to assist vulnerable populations and provide shelter for the homeless. The Egyptian Red Crescent also mobilized emergency response teams to aid stranded motorists and assist with evacuations in heavily flooded zones. Wind gusts exceeding 50 km/h and torrential rainfall continued to challenge responders throughout the morning. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly's office confirmed the government is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as needed. 'We urge citizens to prioritize safety and cooperate with emergency responders,' the statement said.
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Climate
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Severe weather batters Alexandria with heavy rain, strong winds - Society
Alexandria was hit by an intense storm early Saturday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and thunderstorms that caused widespread disruption across the northern governorate. Wind speeds reached up to 50 kilometres per hour, compounding chilly conditions and triggering dust storms in parts of the city. Several districts experienced flooding and traffic paralysis as snow and heavy downpours swept through the area. Authorities launched an emergency response, with Governor Ahmed Khaled placing all municipal bodies on high alert. Field teams worked around the clock to manage drainage, clear fallen trees and debris, and maintain traffic flow. Water pressure was temporarily reduced in some neighbourhoods to ease the strain on drainage systems. Heavy-duty sanitation vehicles were deployed in known flood-prone areas, while the Egyptian Red Crescent dispatched crews to rescue stranded vehicles and residents. The weather also disrupted education. Alexandria University postponed Saturday's exams until after the Eid Al-Adha holiday, while school exams were delayed by an hour to ensure student safety. The city's public transport authority increased bus services to assist with student travel. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned of continued instability, forecasting intermittent thunderstorms and rain over the northwest coast, Lower Egypt and parts of Greater Cairo. Strong winds could stir sand and dust across several regions, including Sinai and the western desert. Emergency hotlines remain active, with crisis response centres operating around the clock. Officials said all available resources have been mobilized to protect public safety and minimize disruption. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Saudi Group Developments unveils EGP 3bn Valea project in West Cairo
Saudi Group Developments has officially launched Valea, a new mixed-use residential project in Sheikh Zayed City, West Cairo, with a total investment of EGP 3bn. The development is a strategic collaboration between Saudi businessman Eng. Yahya bin Ahmed Al-Ansari, Chairman of Saudi Group Developments, and Eng. Bashar Mohamed Abu Hamar, the Group's CEO. Valea will offer a variety of residential options, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses. A commercial mall overlooking the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road will serve residents and visitors, enhancing the community's lifestyle offerings. In a move towards sustainable urban planning, the entire internal area of the project has been designed for pedestrians and cyclists, with vehicle access restricted to the outer perimeter to ensure a safe and tranquil environment. 'The Valea project reflects our vision to build integrated residential communities that offer more than just homes — they deliver a balanced lifestyle that embraces innovation, sustainability, and privacy,' said Al-Ansari at the launch event. 'We believe the future of real estate lies in respecting the environment and enhancing people's well-being.' CEO Bashar Mohamed Abu Hamar emphasized the company's market-oriented approach: 'This project represents our commitment to providing real value to the Egyptian market through modern communities that meet international standards while preserving Egyptian heritage.' Ziad El-Sayyad, Head of the Architecture Department at Alexandria University and the project's lead architectural consultant, highlighted that Valea's design focuses on sustainability, energy efficiency, and expansive green areas to promote comfort and well-being. The project also includes a commercial hub tailored to meet residents' everyday needs. With Valea, Saudi Group Developments aims to deliver a smart, private, and comfortable living experience in one of Egypt's most dynamic urban centers.
Egypt Independent
15-04-2025
- Health
- Egypt Independent
The brain drain of doctors
The migration of doctors isn't just a narrow issue concerning Egypt: rather, it is an indication of how science and serious work are being handled here. Indeed, the resignation of 117 doctors from Alexandria University hospitals is a message that could topple any government, since working in these hospitals is a doctor's dream – to become a teaching assistant and then a professor after long years of effort. In truth, the problem lies with the official handling of the brain drain phenomenon, and doctors specifically, with the same old canard being repeated that they must repay what the state spent on them and prevent doctors from resigning. This is a disastrous approach, as it ignores the fact that education is a right for citizens, funded by the state from taxpayers' money. Therefore, we need to understand the reasons behind the brain drain, especially doctors, out of Egypt. The climate in which doctors currently work, especially young doctors, is extremely difficult. This is not only due to low salaries but also due to poor working conditions in government hospitals, to the point where they have become the only ones blamed or targeted. Certain governors use them to showcase their authority, yelling at and referring to members of the medical staff for investigation over superficial reasons – as if the other government bodies and institutions are working perfectly and do not also deserve monitoring and accountability. The truth is the healthcare system in Egypt has many shortcomings, and that accountability is necessary for any negligent person, regardless of their profession. Doctors should not be considered 'untouchable' – they should be held accountable like everyone else, according to rules and not based on whims or superficial emotions. Furthermore, we should find the same zeal for monitoring and accountability in the rest of the government. The state is aware that there is one Egyptian doctor for every 1,100 individuals, while the internationally approved ratio is one doctor for every 400 individuals. It is also aware that there are 220,000 Egyptian doctors registered in the syndicate, of whom 120,000 have emigrated abroad. Furthermore, figures have indicated the resignation of between 3,000-4,000 doctors from the Ministry of Health each year for the last five years. Despite the shortage of doctors, low salaries, and limited resources, many have tried to provide the minimum required level of medical service within the available means. Nevertheless, instances of abuse and the targeting of many of them have continued: for example, one incident saw a governor dismiss a doctor from his position as hospital director for sharing joy at a patient's recovery. Another incident involved a female doctor being insulted for adhering to regulations and laws. We need to address the emigration of doctors as part of a genuine effort to reform the healthcare system and understand its accumulated problems, without holding one party solely responsible for this deterioration. There has been a decline in state spending on health, weak resources, and a shortage of medical staff, all of which are factors that have led to a real crisis in healthcare services. The resignation of Alexandria's doctors is a new alarm bell, and it is important for the state to deal with it correctly so that the healthcare system can be reformed. About the author: Amr al-Shobaki is an Egyptian writer, political analyst and managing-editor of Ahwal Masria magazine. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Cairo University (1983), a Master's degree in Political Science from the Institute of Political Studies in France (1993), and a PhD in Political Science from the Sorbonne University in France (2002).
Egypt Independent
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Why does Egypt's military presence in Sinai worry Israel?
Israeli media outlets have continued to broadcast reports warning about the Egyptian military presence in the Sinai Peninsula despite repeated denial from Egypt, RT reported. Hebrew reports indicated that Egypt's military presence in Sinai is sparking widespread controversy in Israel, which is demanding the withdrawal of military infrastructure there and view its presence as a violation of the peace agreement between them. Israeli military sources confirmed that the Israeli government is pressuring through diplomatic and security channels, including Washington, to reach an official agreement on this issue. According to official sources and military experts, as reported by the Israeli news website nziv, the Egyptian military deployment in Sinai includes 88 battalions with 42,000 troops. This is in addition to three full military divisions, 1,500 tanks and armored vehicles, and projects to develop and expand the runways of a military airport, and to strengthen air defense networks and seaports. In contrast, the peace agreement signed in 1978 allowed for only 50 battalions, with 22,000 troops. Egypt's response In statements to Egyptian media outlets, the former director of Egyptian intelligence, Nasser Salem, responded to the allegations by saying that Israeli concerns are unjustified. He added that Israel is seeking to divert attention from the situation in Gaza and its own internal crises. A professor of Hebrew studies at Alexandria University, Ahmed Fouad Anwar, said that Tel Aviv is seeking to pressure Egypt to absorb Palestinian refugees in Sinai. The former Egyptian Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Hazem Khairat believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is exploiting this issue to divert attention from his political failure in dealing with domestic and foreign crises. An expert on Israeli affairs at the Al-Ahram Center for Research and Policy Studies, Saeed Okasha, notes that Israel fears that Egypt will regain its deterrent military capabilities. Cairo asserts that its military presence in Sinai is legal and is carried out in accordance with the amendments agreed upon in the security annex to the peace treaty. Regarding the peace treaty, Ambassador Khairat emphasized that any talk of threatening the treaty is illogical, as stable relations between Egypt and Israel serve the interests of both sides.
