The Sea of Galilee is now 200 meters or 656 feet below sea level. It has been its lowest point in the last 100 years. This particular lake has suffered four consecutive years of rain shortages.
"The situation is serious," Amir Givati of Israel's Water Authority said. It has been really bad for the Galilee Sea, which is actually a lake, reported Mail Online. Its level now is 20 times lower than what experts considered as passable above the red line or the critical stage. This event, the regional drought, has affected all of the Middle East, Givati added. The most affected area is the agriculture, which affects all the other living things it supports.
Israel has a dry season because of the shortage of rainfall in the country. It has affected not only the agriculture but the environment and animal life in the nearby area too. Moreover, this February is the driest season ever for the Israel people, said Times Of Israel. There are also other water sources in Israel, the Lake Kinneret. However, this lake is also in its critical stage, though not as grave as Galilee Sea.
Lake Kinneret has received only 10 percent of its average rainfall for February. It has risen by mere 22 centimeters or 8.5 inches. It is still very far below the average for what experts are expecting for February, which is 60 centimeters or 23.5 inches. If this continues, farmers will be forced to see their land and crops dry. They cannot water the 150,000 dunams or 37,000 acres of land.
There will be tens of millions of shekels that will be lost, stated the head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, Giora Zelt. He also warned Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) that if this will continue more losses will happen.
On the other hand, desalination plants were built along the Mediterranean coast. It has been supplying the Israel homes their needed water. A total of three quarters have been getting their water from these plants. It will continue to be so if the dry season will not stop.
