SEVERE storms and strong winds lashed Egypt over the last week, with forecasters predicting additional poor weather until the end of the week. Many seaports continue to close due to strong winds and heavy rains, and in Cairo traffic jams intensified with many of the capital's roads flooded. In Alexandria, two ports were closed because of the wind and the strong waves but the harbours will be reopened as soon as the weather improves. Strong winds uprooted trees in some areas in the city and fishing in the Mediterranean Sea was halted. The city witnessed traffic jams in several districts, especially in Sidi Beshr, due to heavy rain as puddles of water formed under bridges, in tunnels and in main streets. Head of the Red Sea Ports Authority Mohamed Abdel-Kader Jaballah said that ports for passengers, goods and oil tankers in Port Tawfik were closed because of bad weather. Jaballah pointed out that waves were as high as four metres, adding that the ports will be reopened as soon as the weather improves. “We urge all the citizen to drive under 60 kilometres per hour on the highways, and be patient,” Ayman Al-Dobaa, spokesman of the Egypt Traffic Authority, told Radio Masr station. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority said on Monday that the weather is expected to improve by next week.