Lebanon faces an escalating water crisis as the vital spring in Anjar, a cornerstone of the Bekaa Valley’s agricultural backbone, runs dry. This alarming situation, worsened by climate change and decades of mismanagement, threatens to plunge the nation into a deeper economic and humanitarian disaster. With only 25-30% of the usual winter rainfall recorded last season, farmers are now grappling with soaring irrigation costs and dwindling crop yields. The agricultural heartland, which relies on rainwater for summer irrigation, is on the brink of collapse.

The World Bank warns that Lebanon is among the least prepared countries in the region to tackle this crisis, with predictions of a staggering 9% annual decrease in rainfall over the next two decades. The situation is dire: untreated sewage and industrial waste pollute the country’s rivers, rendering many water sources unusable. Farmers, already struggling from an economic downturn, are now forced to rely on costly wells and pumps, driving up prices for consumers.

As the new government promises reforms, the immediate future remains bleak. Experts anticipate that the crisis will peak in September and October, leaving communities to anxiously await the winter rains that could either alleviate or exacerbate the situation. The urgent need for solutions, such as developing hill lakes and improving dam infrastructure, has never been more critical. With the specter of drought looming, Lebanon stands at a crossroads, and the coming months will determine the fate of its people and their livelihoods. The clock is ticking, and the water crisis is far from over.