NNA - The Ministry of Public Works and Transport on Friday announced in a statement that its snow removal centers had carried out multiple overnight rescue operations to assist citizens stranded in mountainous areas due to the severe snowstorm affecting Lebanon. The operations were conducted under harsh weather conditions as part of the ministry’s ongoing emergency response plan.

Key rescue efforts included evacuating a number of citizens trapped by heavy snowfall in Marjhin, along the Hermel–Qammouaa road in upper Akkar. They were safely transported to the town of Fnaydeq by a snow center vehicle, with plans to retrieve their vehicles once the storm subsides.

In another incident, the Tannourine center pulled a vehicle that had skidded into a ravine in Wadi Al-Mahlab, on the road to the Tannourine Cedar Reserve. The operation was completed using specialized equipment to ensure the driver’s safety.

On the Dahr El-Baidar highway, a major traffic accident occurred last night due to a thick layer of ice, causing significant congestion. The road was temporarily closed, and emergency response teams, including Civil Defense and Internal Security Forces, intervened alongside ministry vehicles to clear the damages. The highway was reopened to all vehicles this morning.

Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed that its snow removal centers are operating continuously across mountainous regions, clearing snow-blocked roads, spreading salt to prevent ice formation, and ensuring road safety for residents and travelers.

An updated mountain road status report as of Friday morning reads as follows:

- Qaitea Highlands Road: Passable up to Fnaydeq; snow-clearing underway in upper areas.  

- Dahr El-Baidar: Fully passable for all vehicles and trucks.  

- Afqa–Lassa–Amhaz–Mairouba: Completely closed due to heavy snow.  

- Ainata–Deir El-Ahmar: Covered with thick ice; driving is unsafe.  

- Qartaba: All roads passable for all vehicles.  

- Ehden roads: Accessible only to four-wheel-drive vehicles.  

- Tannourine roads: Passable, except the Tannourine Cedar Reserve–Hadath El Jebbeh road, which will reopen once the storm recedes.  

- Tarchich–Zahle: Open only to four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The ministry concluded by urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling in mountainous areas, avoid closed roads, and adhere strictly to instructions issued by Internal Security Forces and Civil Defense for their safety.

========R.H.