Water Authority's warning amid the desalination crisis: "Lowest in over 100 years"

The Water Authority warns of a historic low in northern water sources, following two consecutive years of rainfall shortage. The cumulative volume of available water in the Sea of Galilee is the lowest in a century of measurements, despite the national rainfall amount approaching the average.

The Water Authority has issued a severe warning about a historic low in northern water sources, following two consecutive years of rainfall shortage. The cumulative volume of available water in the Sea of Galilee over the past two years stood at only about 208 million cubic meters – the lowest figure in a century of measurements. This is despite the national rainfall in the last season approaching 95% of the multi-year average. However, significant regional gaps exist: in the Sea of Galilee basin about 90% of the average was measured, in the western Galilee only about 85%, while in the coastal basin and the Yarkon-Taninim basin rainfall reached about 100% of the average. The Sea of Galilee's water level also reflects the shortage: at the start of the hydrological year it stood at 213.08 meters below sea level, and at the seasonal peak it reached 212.51 meters below sea level – still 3.71 meters below the upper red line. The shortage is also evident in northern streams and springs, with flow rates below average in the Jordan, Dan, Banias, and Taninim springs.