Lebanon Faces Worst Drought on Record, Threatening Water, Agriculture, and Power

Historic Drought Grips Lebanon

• 💧 Lebanon is experiencing its worst drought on record, causing its largest reservoir, Lake Kar, to shrink dramatically.
• 📉 Water levels in the Latani River have fallen to historic lows, with inflows this wet season being a fraction of the annual average.

Impact on Water Resources

• ⚠️ Experts report that nearly 90% of Lebanon's springs have completely dried up, leading to widespread water scarcity.
• 🚱 The available water in Lake Kar is significantly polluted, rendering it unusable.
• 🌍 The water crisis affects all Lebanese territories and water basins, impacting domestic supplies.

Agricultural and Energy Sector Strain

• 🌾 Farmers in the Bikar Valley are facing unprecedented water scarcity, with wells drying up.
• ⚡ Hydroelectric plants tied to the Latani basin have shut down, leading to financial losses and intensified electricity rationing.
• 🔌 Erratic electricity supply further strains irrigation systems, with daily supply slashed in some areas.

Contributing Factors and Future Measures

• 🌡️ Climate warming and shifting weather patterns are identified as key contributors, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing groundwater recharge.
• 📢 The Ministry of Energy and Water plans to launch a national awareness campaign to reduce water consumption.