Water levels in Lebanon’s largest reservoir, located on the Litani River, have plummeted to historic lows, as experts warn the country faces its most severe drought on record. The Litani River National Authority reported that inflows to Lake Qaraoun during the wet season were merely 45 million cubic meters, starkly below the average annual inflow of 350 million cubic meters. Last year, inflows were considerably higher at 230 million cubic meters, and the current volume in the lake is reportedly around 61 million cubic meters, which is rendered unusable due to significant pollution.
Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority, acknowledged the unprecedented drought, noting, “We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins.” He emphasized that previous dry years, including those in 1989, 1990, and 1991, do not compare to the current conditions. Drone footage reveals a dramatically receded shoreline at Lake Qaraoun, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation.
The drought has significantly impacted Lebanon’s hydroelectric plants linked to the Litani basin. Alawieh shared that the plants have been forced to suspend operations, leading to economic losses and exacerbated electricity rationing by Electricité du Liban, the state utility that has reduced its supply in certain areas from 20 hours a day to just 10.
Farmers in the fertile Bekaa Valley region are already feeling the repercussions. Local farmer Safa Issa remarked on the drastic changes, stating, “I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year,” lamenting the absence of snow, which used to reach up to a meter in height in previous years.
The situation is further complicated by inconsistent electricity supply necessary for irrigation systems, with farmers experiencing intermittent water access for their crops. Fayez Omais, another farmer, shared the challenges of this irregular irrigation schedule, illustrating the dire circumstances faced by the agricultural community.
With climate change driving more frequent dry seasons and erratic weather patterns, the need for sustainable water management solutions and improved infrastructure has never been clearer. As Lebanon navigates this crisis, there remains hope for regional cooperation and innovation to address the impacts of ongoing drought conditions on agriculture and water supplies.
Overall, collaborative efforts and community support could play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of this crisis and leading to potential sustainable practices for water use moving forward.
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