Water levels in Lake Qaraoun, the nation’s largest reservoir on the Litani River, have dropped to Lebanon’s worst drought on record. Experts have described this situation as the worst drought on record, posing a threat to residential water supplies, agriculture, and the nation’s power generation capabilities. Lebanon faces a severe water shortage issue that needs immediate attention because of declining reservoir inflows and pollution, which renders a large portion of the remaining water unusable.

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Unprecedented Water Scarcity Cripples Lake Qaraoun

Compared to the yearly average of 350 million cubic meters, inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year’s wet season were a meagre 45 million cubic meters, according to the Litani River National Authority. The 230 million cubic meters of influx last year was already alarming, but this year’s numbers set a new record. “This year is the driest, but there were dry years in 1989, 1990, and 1991,” said Sami Alawieh, the head of the river authority. To make matters worse, Lake Qaraoun’s 61 million cubic meters of water are so contaminated that they are useless for most uses.

A receding shoreline is seen in drone footage, and the reservoir’s condition is grimly depicted by dead flora and fractured dirt. Hydroelectric plants connected to the Litani basin have been forced to shut down due to this sharp decline in water availability, which has exacerbated Electricite du Liban’s electricity rationing and led to significant financial losses.

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Climate Change and Local Impacts Intensify the Crisis

Reduced rainfall and growing groundwater pressure, exacerbated by climate change and changing weather patterns, are the main causes of the drought’s intensity. Higher temperatures and more frequent dry seasons have initiated soil moisture loss and hindered groundwater recharge, according to research by the Litani River National Authority. Farmers like Safa Issa are facing problems in the fertile Bekaa Valley, located near Qaraoun village. Issa noted the lack of snow, which once reached a metre high, and remarked, “I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year.” The situation is further complicated by an unstable electrical supply, which forces farmers like Fayez Omais to contend with irregular irrigation schedules that disrupt agricultural output.

The burden on agriculture has increased as a result of the state utility cutting the amount of electricity available in some places from 20 hours to as few as 10 hours per day. Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water, responded by announcing a national water conservation program that would begin in ten days. “Managing demand is the most crucial thing,” she underlined.

Lebanon’s worst drought on record highlights the pressing need for climate adaptation and sustainable water management plans. The crisis jeopardises livelihoods and food security as Lake Qaraoun vanishes and the country’s energy and water infrastructure malfunctions. To minimize the effects of this historic drought, immediate measures to reduce consumption and manage pollution are essential, as are long-term investments in robust infrastructure.

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