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1May 2021
Introduction:
River Litani is the longest river in Lebanon. It has an artificial lake called the Qaraoun lake created by the Litani river dam. Around forty tonnes of fish were recently washed on the banks of the lake due to excessive pollution. The pollution was mainly due to sewage dumping. This has gained an international spotlight. Such a huge disaster is happening for the first time in the region.
Highlights:
- A fishing ban in the reservoir was imposed in 2018. However, the actions were inadequate to stop the pollution.
- The river is an important water source for the southern part of Lebanon.
- The Litani dam was constructed in 1959 for irrigation and hydropower projects.
- It rises in the Beqaa valley and empties in Mediterranean sea.
- The rivers originates and flows entirely inside Lebanon, that is, it is not a transboundary river.
About environmental disasters in Lebanon
In April 2021, the volunteers removed sticky tar from the beaches in Lebanon coast after an oil spill.
In August 2020, a huge explosion occurred in Beirut port that devastated the country. It even led to the country’s Prime Minister resigning his office.