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Nahar Net
2 days ago
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Water shortages plague Beirut as low rainfall compounds woes
by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 August 2025, 12:29 People are buying water by the truckload in Beirut as the state supply faces its worst shortages in years, with the leaky public sector struggling after record-low rainfall and local wells running dry. "State water used to come every other day, now it's every three days," said Rima al-Sabaa, 50, rinsing dishes carefully in Burj al-Baranjeh, in Beirut's southern suburbs. Even when the state water is flowing, she noted, very little trickles into her family's holding tank. Once that runs out, they have to buy trucked-in water -- pumped from private springs and wells -- but it costs more than $5 for 1,000 liters and lasts just a few days, and its brackishness makes everything rust. In some areas, the price can be twice as high. Like many Lebanese people, Sabaa, who works assisting the elderly, relies on bottled water for drinking. But in a country grappling with a yearslong economic crisis and still reeling from a recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, the costs add up. "Where am I supposed to get the money from?" she asked. Water shortages have long been the norm for much of Lebanon, which acknowledges only around half the population "has regular and sufficient access to public water services." Surface storage options such as dams are inadequate, according to the country's national water strategy, while half the state supply is considered "non-revenue water" -- lost to leakage and illegal connections. This year, low rainfall has made matters even worse. Mohamad Kanj from the meteorological department told AFP that rainfall for 2024-2025 "is the worst in the 80 years" on record in Lebanon. Climate change is set to exacerbate the county's water stress, according to the national strategy, while a World Bank statement this year said "climate change may halve (Lebanon's) dry-season water by 2040." - Rationing - Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi said last week that "the situation is very difficult." The shortages are felt unevenly across greater Beirut, where tanks clutter rooftops, water trucks clog roads and most people on the ramshackle state grid lack meters. Last month, the government launched a campaign encouraging water conservation, showing dried or depleted springs and lakes around the country. North of the capital, levels were low in parts of the Dbaye pumping station that should have been gushing with water. "I've been here for 33 years and this is the worst crisis we've had for the amount of water we're receiving and can pump" to Beirut, said the station's Zouhair Azzi. Antoine Zoghbi from the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment said water rationing in Beirut usually started in October or November, after summer and before the winter rainy season. But this year it has started months early "because we lack 50 percent of the amount of water" required at some springs, he told AFP last month. Rationing began at some wells in June, he said, to reduce the risk of overuse and seawater intrusion. Zoghbi emphasized the need for additional storage, including dams. In January, the World Bank approved more than $250 million in funding to improve water services for greater Beirut and its surroundings. In 2020, it cancelled a loan for a dam south of the capital after environmentalists said it could destroy a biodiversity-rich valley. - Wells - In south Beirut, pensioner Abu Ali Nasreddine, 66, said he had not received state water for many months. "Where they're sending it, nobody knows," he said, lamenting that the cost of trucked-in water had also risen. His building used to get water from a local well but it dried up, he added, checking his rooftop tank. Bilal Salhab, 45, who delivers water on a small, rusted truck, said demand had soared, with families placing orders multiple times a week. "The water crisis is very bad," he said, adding he was struggling to fill his truck because wells had dried up or become salty. In some areas of greater Beirut, wells have long supplemented or even supplanted the state network. But many have become depleted or degraded, wrecking pipes and leaving residents with salty, discolored water. Nadim Farajalla, chief sustainability officer at the Lebanese American University, said Beirut had ballooned in size and population since the start of the 1975-1990 civil war but water infrastructure had failed to keep up. Many people drilled wells illegally, including at depths that tap into Lebanon's strategic groundwater reserves, he said, adding that "nobody really knows how many wells there are." "Coastal aquifers are suffering from seawater intrusion, because we are pumping much more than what's being recharged," Farajalla told AFP. As the current shortages bite, rationing and awareness campaigns should have begun earlier, he said, because "we all knew that the surface snow cover and rainfall" were far below average.
What's On
11-04-2025
- What's On
Staycation review: Al Seef Heritage Hotel
A blast from the past… Voyage through old Dubai, where luxury meets tradition by the iconic Dubai Creek. If you're looking to explore the rich cultural tapestry of a global city that's evolving at the speed of light, Al Seef Heritage Hotel is just what the doctor ordered. With the perfect blend of Emirati heritage and contemporary hospitality, you'll find yourself in the heart of Old Dubai here, almost an unrecognisable escape from the glitzy skyscrapers that dot the city's skyline. Whether you're walking through the old souk labyrinth or zipping by on a buggy, there's one running theme throughout: you're stepping into a time machine that's about to whisk you away to an era bygone. The hotel almost hides in plain sight, camouflaged by the traditional market. And if you're like us, you just might confidently stroll into a neighbouring property unawares. Location Dubai's Al Seef district is in a word, unique. It's located along the Dubai Creek, and is the ideal spot for a culture-soaked stroll in the cooler months like when we visited. The hotel's location is convenient such that it entrenches you in old Dubai, but mere steps from sites of importance. You're a stroll away from the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, spice and gold souks, restaurants like the star Bayt Al Wakeel, and a refreshing abra ride that'll have you enjoying the sea breeze. Historical attractions, museums, and a horde of tourists never fail to put you in holiday mode, upping the relaxation factor on your stay at Al Seef Heritage Hotel. Property The hotel itself is spread across ten traditional Arabian buildings, their 'Bayts' (or homes, in Arabic) intricately designed to evoke the spirit of ancient Arabia – architecture, artefacts, hues, doors, the whole nine yards. You'll notice wind towers, vintage telephones and alarm clocks in your room, and such details skilfully woven with amenities that make modern living so convenient. You'll be inclined to begin, or end your day on your own personal courtyard, peering over at the creek or stargazing right outside your doors. It makes you wonder how fast the city's evolved, successfully staying true to the roots it's risen from. Your room itself is almost minimalist, retaining only what you need for a memorable stay, and what they need to continue telling their story, uninterrupted. Dining Gastonomy enthusiasts will not be disappointed. Head to Sabaa, their on-site eat when it's meal time and dig into a generous breakfast buffet, or more elaborate Emirati flavors with signature seafood picks, grilled meats, and popular favourites from around the globe. You can choose to sit indoors, or on a gorgeous day like when we visited, grab a table on their alfresco terrace that lets you people-watch as tourists haggle in the traditional souk underneath. Commentary When has Curio Collection by Hilton's clever catalogue of properties ever failed to impress? With a multitude of unique hospitality offerings in the UAE and around the globe, travellers and luxury seekers are always on the lookout for what's next with this group. All that said, Al Seef Heritage Hotel is a heritage-splashed journey through old Dubai. Find yourself playing tourist in this cultural nexus that houses everything from old artefacts to a pristinely-preserved historical feel. It's uncanny how you'll feel as much at home as you'll find yourself blending in seamlessly, with the many tourists that throng these streets. What's On verdict: At Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, you'll realise a time machine is no longer a figment of your imagination. Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Seef Street, Dubai, rooms from Dhs270. Tel: (0)4 707 7080. @alseefheritagehoteldubai @sabaadxb > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Egypt Independent
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's car market hit by overpricing
Owing to weak purchasing power and increasing concerns about rising car prices, overpricing (selling a commodity for more than its market value) has returned to the market with certain brands reaching up to LE60,000 in additional costs. Supply and Demand Policy A member of the Automotive Division of the Chambers of Commerce, Alaa al-Sabaa, explained that balanced demand for cars will appear in the second half of the year. He noted that the scarce supply in some types of cars is what causes the selling price to be overinflated, in addition to the increase in demand. With the application of reservation lists at car manufacturer dealers, which are subject to market fluctuations and continuous price changes based on the dollar price, car dealers resort to raising prices to compensate for what they spend on customs to allow vehicles to enter the country. Assuming the currency value remains stable and the exchange rate does not change during the coming period, Sabaa expects the car market to witness a major breakthrough and a decline in car prices. Effects of rising car prices Car prices are subject to supply and demand, and in some cars the value of the added increase ranges between LE10,000-30,000. In light of the confusion caused by the suspension of import operations, agents of international companies determine the value of the increase based on the price of the US dollar against the Egyptian pound. Since June and July, the dollar has taken an upward curve that began with a jump to LE47 after the local currency was floated in March and lost about 60 percent of its value. As a result of inflated car prices, many citizens have turned to motorcycles as a means of transportation at an affordable price. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
