March 9, 2006

Due to the thick clouds of dusty haze enveloping Israel on Thursday, there was a sharp increase in the number of calls for ambulance teams to evacuate people suffering from difficulties breathing.

Magen David Adom (MDA) officials said paramedics were summoned to revive five people from morning to noon.

MDA also treated an employee of Oranim college in the north after an object flew in the air and hit her. MDA sources recommend that those who suffer from lung diseases, the elderly, children and pregnant women not leave home until the weather clears.

Because of poor visibility, Tel Aviv's Sde Dov airfield closed and pilots were redirected to Ben Gurion airport. Haifa's airport was also shut down Thursday morning, although it later reopened.

Swells in Haifa Bay were measured at seven meters high and port authorities ordered the removal of ships docked at the eastern pier, out of fear they would hit one another.

Showers, storms, thunder and lightning

In addition to haze, rainstorms, thunder and lightning pummeled the north of the country. The rain let up gradually in the center of the country. Strong winds considerably chilled the region.

The Mount Hermon ski area was closed following a snowstorm that also covered higher-elevation peaks across the Golan and the Galilee.

Sandstorms also swept across the south.

Friday will continue to be rainy and cold, but the winds and rain will let up by the afternoon. Weather on Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy and clear with a rise in temperatures. On Sunday, temperatures will continue to rise and it is expected to be hot and dry.

SOURCE: Haaretz

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