Southern Floods Keep Major Roads Closed, Police Adjust Traffic

Heavy rains and flash floods in southern Israel continue to disrupt traffic, with the Israeli police reporting several major roads remain closed. While some routes have reopened, ongoing assessments of the situation in the Negev, Arava, Jordan Valley, and Dead Sea regions are underway. Route 90 is still blocked between the Lido junction and the Arava junction, though residents of Kalya are permitted passage between Lido and Kalya junctions upon showing identification. Routes 507 and 508 have been reopened, but the Tze'elim bridge on Route 234 and a section of Route 40 between Mitzpe Ramon and Tzehor junction remain closed. The police had announced the reopening of Route 90 in both directions from the Arava junction to Eilat on the previous evening. During the storm, police responded to dozens of rescue incidents across the Negev and Arava. They emphasized that field operations and continuous assessments, considering weather developments and road conditions, are ongoing to ensure public safety. The police cautioned the public against approaching closed roads or areas with water flow, warning against crossing flooded roads or wadis, whether by vehicle or on foot, even if the water flow appears minimal. They also urged avoiding wadis and hiking trails prone to flooding, even with off-road vehicles, and stressed the importance of cautious driving, adjusting speed to road conditions, maintaining safe distances, and following police instructions. The police requested the public to call emergency services at 100 for any incidents or life-threatening dangers and committed to providing further updates on road status changes and reopening decisions.