A massive thunderstorm rumbled across Lebanon early Monday, causing the death of at least one person and turning most roads into virtual lakes.

According to a statement by the Internal Security Forces, the torrential downpours started Saturday and are expected to last till Wednesday. Rainwater flooded the camps of Bedouins in the area of Iqlim al-Kharroub, leaving a child dead.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel advised citizens to avoid driving before security forces and relevant authorities resolve the problems caused by the flooding, Voice of Lebanon radio reported.

Local media reported that heavy rains blocked the coastal highway between the southern cities of Sidon and Tyr, as well as the highway linking Beirut's northern suburb of Nahr al-Mawt to the Metn town of Bekfaya.

The thunderstorm with strong winds also buffeted the country, knocking over a wall in the Hazmiyeh neighborhood, damaging cars and causing a heavy traffic jam. Another wall collapsed at the entrance to the Champville School in the Metn town of Deek al- Mehdi.

Charbel added that flooding of the Beirut river and the narrowness of its estuary was a main cause of flooding in the capital, adding that municipalities should regularly clear sewage channels to avoid floods.

He said security forces have been on alert for the past three days.

The Antelias River in north of Beirut was also flooded, causing water into nearby buildings.

Regions and mountains above 1,100-meter altitude were covered with snow as thousands of cars were stranded on the roads.

An Internal Security Forces checkpoint prevented cars without tire chains from heading to Dahr al-Baidar.

Snow isolated many villages from towns in the mountain. Endi

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