Bandar Anzali, Gilan Prov, Dec 11, IRNA-Many ships were trapped in the northern port city of Bandar Anzali Monday morning due to a strong storm accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds.

The local meteorology center said that the Caspian Sea's waves reached a height of two meters and strong winds blew at 43 kilometers per hour.

The center warned public offices located in coastal areas of the city that they faced possible danger due to the worsening weather condition.

The storm was caused by a moving Arctic air mass which is to stay in the region for a couple of days, said the center.

Bandar Anzali, 365km north of the capital Tehran, is the country's most active port city in the north. It can accommodate 12 ships at one time.

Over 1,000 ships take anchor in the port city each year.

... Payvand News - 12/11/06 ... --