Lebanon Faces Worst Water Shortage in Decades Amid 51% Drop in Rainfall

Lebanon Faces Worst Water Shortage in Decades Amid 51% Drop in Rainfall
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Lebanon is grappling with its most severe water shortage in decades, prompting an urgent call for action from Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi, Anadolu Agency reported. At a press conference in Beirut, Saddi stated that the country’s rainfall this year has plummeted by 51% compared to the annual average, exacerbating a crisis that threatens public health, agriculture, and power generation.

The minister noted that Lebanon’s rainfall deficit is the result of both a decrease in the number of rainy days, which fell from an average of 75 to 45, and the reduced ability of the soil to absorb heavy downpours. This water crisis has also impacted the nation’s energy sector, reducing hydropower output from water-driven plants and cutting electricity supply. The country’s largest artificial lake, Lake Qaraoun, has recorded a historic 62.5% drop in water levels over the past year.

Saddi outlined a six-step plan to mitigate the crisis. He called for the rescheduling of water distribution to ensure fair and transparent access, the preparation of existing wells for immediate use, and securing sufficient energy to keep those wells running. Additionally, he stressed the need for a public awareness campaign on water conservation, mapping of drought-vulnerable regions, and developing an emergency plan to prepare for future dry seasons.

The Litani River Authority had previously warned in March that the country was experiencing its worst drought in over 65 years. Academic studies cited in the report estimate that Lebanon has an annual water deficit of one billion cubic meters, with only 2.6 billion cubic meters available against a demand of 3.6 billion.