Map Cairo Suez Sinai Negev Egypt

The Associated Press has reported from Cairo that shipping operations out of Egypt were suspended over the past three days as a result of poor weather, causing potential disruption to exports of fresh produce including citrus and potatoes. The agency reported:

Egyptian authorities have closed down several ports due to torrential rains, strong winds and low visibility that also disrupted Suez Canal operations over the past three days.

Egypt's official MENA news agency said Wednesday that ports of the northern Mediterranean city of Alexandria and Dakhila were shut down starting Sunday, while Nile Delta cities suffered power outages and fishing stopped in cities like Damietta, northeast of Cairo.

It said the number of ships crossing the Suez Canal decreased by half due to poor visibility.

However, an official working on the Suez Canal reportedly said operations had returned to normal by Wednesday.