Workers plant lychee trees at a field near the Israeli border with Lebanon, October 1, 2024. (Photo: David Cohen/Flash90)
The Israeli Water Authority announced on Sunday that the nation is facing its driest winter in a century. Israel has reportedly only received 55% of the average rainfall it gets during the crucial winter period, which typically lasts from October until March.
Due to its arid climate, Israel receives most of its annual rainfall during the winter season.
Israeli Water Authority Director Yehezkel Lifshitz, expressed concerns while emphasizing that Israel would, nevertheless, manage this season because of the Jewish state’s advanced desalination facilities and disciplined water conservation policies.
“We are experiencing one of the driest precipitation seasons recorded in Israel in the last 100 years. However, the Water Authority’s proper preparation, which includes strategic planning and intelligent management of water sources, allows us to continue to provide water for all of the economy’s needs in a stable manner and ensures that the economy will not be affected by the dry winter in the immediate term,” Lifshitz stated.
The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s most important freshwater reservoir, only rose by two centimeters (less than 0.8 of an inch) during the month of January. Furthermore, the adjacent Jordan River was at its lowest flow since 1960.
While the country is facing an unusually dry winter, there were some exceptions.
The Carmel region near the northern Israeli city of Haifa, has experienced higher-than-average precipitation, including a single heavy downpour. Northern towns like Zichron Yaakov and Hadera also noted a higher-than-average rainfall.
By contrast, Israel’s capital Jerusalem only received 32% of its expected average annual rainfall. The Western Negev area close to the Gaza border, which is one of Israel’s main agriculture regions, only received between a third and a fifth of its average annual rainfall.
Geographically, Israel ranks among the world’s most water-stressed countries. However, the nation has developed advanced water technologies that enable it to produce sufficient water for its population and agricultural needs.
Five operational desalination plants currently serve Israel’s population. In addition, a sixth plant will become operational within a few months, and officials are already making preparations for constructing additional desalination plants that will secure the water supply for the Jewish state’s growing population.
With deserts covering about 60% of its land and limited rainfall, Israel has had to develop innovative technologies since its inception to combat water scarcity.
In the 1960s, Israel’s agricultural sector pioneered drip irrigation to optimize water use and reduce waste.
Israel’s Arab neighbors are also benefiting from Israeli advanced water technologies.
In January 2021, Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, announced that it would sign a preliminary agreement with the Gulf state Bahrain concerning the supply of water desalination technology to the tiny Arab kingdom.
Bahrain normalized its diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the historic Arab Israeli Abraham Accords. Bahrain, which is one of the world’s most water-stressed societies, imports most of its drinking water.
Israeli technologies have also boosted agriculture in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
Israel has exported its water technologies to various developing economies in Africa and Asia but also to dry first-world locations, including California in the United States, and Australia.
