(Jerusalem) Two people went missing in Israel on Tuesday after heavy rainfall caused flooding in the south of the country, police said.

The emergency services stepped up operations overnight from Monday to Tuesday to help holidaymakers surprised by torrential rains, while the country is in a holiday season, with Jewish and Christian Easter coinciding with Ramadan this year.

Sixty people, including “some washed away in their vehicle”, were rescued and two people are still missing near Route 40 in the Negev desert, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

Since Monday evening, “heavy rainfall and high winds have caused flooding in rivers near highways 90 and 40”, the two largest in the country, police continue.

Near the seaside town of Eilat, several roads are blocked and police have asked people to stay away from flooded areas.