2020 Middle East storms
The 2020 Middle East storms happened on 12 March 2020 and the following days, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, floods, and sandstorms, to northern Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, State of Palestine and Iraq. They are sometimes called "The Dragon" or the "Dragon storms" (Arabic: عاصفة التنين `Āṣifat al-Tanīn "the storm of the dragon"), a name which arose in social media. The storm system, a large severe cyclone, formed over the Nile delta and around on 12 March 2020 and over the next days moved northeast over the Middle East.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The storm system killed at least 21 people in Egypt.
It caused snow in mountain areas such as Lebanon and Syria and Iran and the Tabuk area in Saudi Arabia.
The mid-latitude cyclone responsible for the storms on March 13, 2020. | |
Formed | 12 March 2020 |
---|---|
Dissipated | 15 March 2020 |
Lowest pressure | 989[7] mb (29.21 inHg) |
Casualties | 21 |
Areas affected | Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and State of Palestine |
Impacts
Egypt
Almost 20 people died. Luxor International Airport and Alexandria port and Sharm el-Sheikh port closed.[8][9]
Iraq
- Youtube video: Flooding in Mosul, Iraq - heavy rains bring snakes and floods
Iran
- Youtube video: Iranian floods: heavy rains bring flash flooding throughout Iran
Kurdistan
Lebanon
Oman
- 20.51 minute Youtube video of supercell storm in Oman
United Arab Emirates
- 22.37 minute Youtube video of storm in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates
Yemen
- 10.55 minute Youtube video Floods in Aden, Yemen: Torrential water destroys houses and buildings, March 25 2020
References
- Thunderstorms, Flooding Leave 21 Dead in Egypt
- ‘Dragon storm’ batters Egypt with torrential rains, killing nearly 20
- Death toll at 21 as Egypt storms, flooding enter second day
- Nearly 20 killed as 'dragon' storm brings widespread flooding to Egypt
- Very rare cyclone over the Middle East, state of emergency declared in Egypt
- Torrential rain, snow storms and flooding hit the Middle East
- "A rare intense surface cyclone with dangerous flooding threat over Egypt and sandstorm into Sinai peninsula and Israel on Friday 13th". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- Nearly 20 killed as 'dragon' storm brings widespread flooding to Egypt
- Deadly storm closes schools, suspends football in Egypt before heading to Turkey and Iran