File: Alexandria in the aftermath of winter rain storm. Ahram.
Ongoing rain showers across parts of the country, especially in the south, are expected to shift northwards toward the Delta, the northern coasts, and parts of Greater Cairo and the Canal cities later in the day.
The EMA said rainfall could be accompanied by thunderstorms over the northern coasts and Lower Egypt, with a chance of extending into northern Upper Egypt as weather systems continue to shift.
Strong winds carrying sand and dust are also expected to sweep parts of the country, reducing visibility, especially along the northwestern coasts, the Western Desert, and northern Upper Egypt.
The unstable weather is linked to low humidity at ground level in northern areas, relatively higher temperatures across most regions, and continued dense cloud cover, the authority said.
It warned of possible lightning, hail, and the build-up of rainwater in low-lying areas, noting that the unstable conditions are expected to continue until Thursday morning.
Temperatures in Cairo are forecast to reach 27°C.
The Holding Company for Drinking Water and Wastewater announced that it had raised the highest level of readiness across all its subsidiaries to deal with expected rainfall, deploying equipment and crews to prevent flooding and service disruptions.
Engineer Ahmed Gaber Shehata, chairman of the company, instructed all work sites to be placed on emergency status, with suction trucks, pumps, and heavy equipment deployed across main roads and squares. He also directed intensified cleaning of drains, manholes, and sewer networks to ensure quick water drainage and prevent build-ups that could disrupt traffic.
Shehata emphasized the need for full coordination between emergency rooms at subsidiary companies and operations rooms in governorates and relevant authorities, while strengthening the readiness of the hotline (125) and customer service centres to respond quickly to citizens’ complaints.
He added that emergency teams would be deployed around the clock, with pumping stations and equipment on high alert to handle any problems and maintain services nationwide.
In response to the forecast, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education said on Tuesday it would suspend classes nationwide on Wednesday to ensure student safety, especially during the exam period, as bad weather could disrupt travel and access to schools.
The ministry noted that it would coordinate with the EMA to assess conditions for Thursday and decide whether further closures are needed, noting that central and local operations rooms would remain on standby around the clock.
Parents were urged to rely on official updates and avoid spreading unverified information, while students were advised to follow safety guidance, including avoiding open areas and staying away from trees and electricity poles during strong winds.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said studies would continue as scheduled in universities and institutes, with in-person attendance maintained.
The move follows a spell of unstable weather last week that led authorities to suspend classes on multiple days.
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