"Lebanon witnesses the driest year" .. Lebanon witnesses a sharp decline in the water level of its largest reservoir

The water level in Lebanon's largest reservoir on the Litani River has dropped to its lowest levels ever amid what experts describe as the worst drought the country has ever seen, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and water supply to homes.


The National Authority for the Litani River reported that the flows to Lake Qaraoun during this year's rainy season did not exceed 45 million cubic meters.


Last year's flows reached 230 million cubic meters. The authority also indicated that the water currently in the lake is about 61 million cubic meters and is not suitable for use due to severe pollution.

Aerial footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a significant retreat of the shoreline, cracked land, and dead plants.

Alouie mentioned that hydroelectric power stations linked to the Litani River basin in Lebanon have stopped operating, resulting in financial losses and prompting Electricite du Liban to ration electricity.

"We have two factors: a decrease in precipitation and pressure on groundwater," he added. A study conducted by the authority concluded that climate change and weather pattern changes have contributed to increased frequency of drought seasons and rising temperatures, leading to increased soil moisture loss and reduced replenishment of groundwater reservoirs.