- Title: JERUSALEM: Heavy storm downs trees at al-Aqsa compound
- Date: 7th January 2013
- Summary: JERUSALEM (JANUARY 7, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS CLEANING AT AL-AQSA COMPOUND AFTER STORM UPROOTED SEVERAL TREES VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS FILLING BULLDOZER WITH BROKEN BRANCHES VARIOUS OF TREES ON GROUND MAN REMOVING DOWNED TREE CLOSE OF AREA WHERE TREE WAS UPROOTED (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AZZAM AL- KHATIB, HEAD OF JERUSALEM'S RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION (WAQF), SAYING: "The stormy weather across the country and especially in Jerusalem has surprised us here at al-Aqsa mosque. It resulted in two trees being uprooted while some other trees were left with broken branches. This was caused by the weather. We even asked for assistance from agriculture engineers to make sure that no one caused this to happen. The engineers' initial reports showed that it was due to the stormy weather across the country." MORE OF PEOPLE CLEANING AT AL-AQSA COMPOUND BULLDOZER REMOVING DOWNED TREES TREE BRANCHES ON WALL / AL-AQSA MOSQUE DAMAGED TREE MAN MOVING DOWNED TREE IN FRONT OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE
- Embargoed: 22nd January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jerusalem
- City:
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Disasters,Weather
- Reuters ID: LVA2Y17BF7DWQO4DBW9FOLR7UNK8
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: With heavy rainfall and high winds battering parts of the Middle East, a strong storm hit Jerusalem on Monday (January 7) bringing down trees at the al-Aqsa compound.
"The stormy weather across the country and especially in Jerusalem has surprised us here at al-Aqsa mosque. It resulted in two trees being uprooted while some other trees were left with broken branches," said Azzam al-Khatib, head of Jerusalem's Religious Foundation (WAQF).
Despite the bad weather, al-Khatib said he had insisted on seeking professional help to confirm what had caused the trees to be uprooted.
"This was caused by the weather. We even asked for assistance from agriculture engineers to make sure that no one caused this to happen. The engineers' initial reports showed that it was due to the stormy weather across the country," he added.
Elsewhere in Jerusalem, the heavy rainfall and winds toppled trees, blocking roads and main highways.
The storm also caused the partial closure of train stations, airports and ports, with some domestic flights having to be diverted.
The region is experiencing record-breaking rainfall and Israeli forecasters warned the peak of the storm had yet to hit the region.
Police reported that at least two people were moderately injured after a tree hit their vehicle in central Israel on Monday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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