Alexandria and Matrouh, both coastal governorates, have already suspended classes today.

Alexandria Governor Mohamed El-Sherif also ordered a paid-day-off on Sunday and Monday for female employees who have children under the age of 12.

The Ministry of Health also declared a state of maximum preparedness at hospitals in all governorates as part of its plan to deal with the turbulent weather, an official statement circulated on social media read.

According to the statement, Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar said that ambulances have been deployed in remote areas and on highways in anticipation of any accidents or injuries caused by any possible rain and dust storms.

Moderate to heavy rain is expected on Monday along parts of the northern coast and northern Delta, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) said on Sunday.

This includes the governorates of Matrouh, Alexandria, Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Damietta, Daqahliya, and Port Said.

Moderate rainfall is also expected in parts of Greater Cairo, the southern Delta, the Suez Canal’s cities, and northern Upper Egypt, the EMA added.

This includes the governorates of Gharbiya, Sharqiya, Menoufiya, Beni Suef, Fayoum, and Minya.

Furthermore, dusty winds are expected to affect an area stretching from the country’s north to northern Upper Egypt on Monday, causing colder temperatures and poor vision, the EMA said.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Environment urged the elderly and those with chest and respiratory diseases to avoid any activities in the open air on Sunday and Monday to avoid falling ill.

Fouad noted that in the event of rain, the air quality index would rise, reducing the severity of the expected weather conditions.