Key Facts
• September 5, 2025: Lebanon faces its worst water crisis in decades.
• Qaraoun Lake, Lebanon’s largest dam reservoir, holds only 50 million cubic meters of water.
• Normal inflow: 350 million cubic meters; this year: less than 45 million cubic meters.
• Reservoir capacity: 220 million cubic meters; current water level dropped from 860m to 838m.
• Surface area shrank from 12 sq km to 4 sq km, exposing 8 sq km of dry land.
• Pollution from 69 towns and industrial waste renders water unusable for agriculture or households.
• Litani River, Lebanon’s longest river, heavily polluted with sewage and factory waste.
• Government spent billions on cleanup efforts, hindered by corruption and mismanagement.
• Lebanon’s financial crisis exacerbates environmental challenges.
• Experts warn of threats to public health, food security, and energy production.
Summary
Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis, as Qaraoun Lake, its largest dam reservoir, experiences record-low water levels due to drought and severe pollution. The lake’s water inflow this year was drastically reduced to less than 45 million cubic meters, compared to the usual 350 million cubic meters. Pollution from nearby towns and industrial waste has rendered the water unusable, while the lake’s surface area has shrunk significantly. Despite decades of government efforts and billions spent on cleanup, corruption and mismanagement have stymied progress. Lebanon’s ongoing financial crisis further hampers environmental initiatives. Experts highlight the compounded impact of drought and pollution on public health, food security, and energy production, urging immediate action to address the crisis.
