(BI) – The Sea of Galilee rose over 19.5 centimeters in less than 48 hours as Israel leaves an ongoing drought. Heavy rains resulted in record amounts of precipitation in Israel’s northern region ending a drought that began in 2013. The rainfall has contributed to increases in Israel’s water reserves, streams, rivers and the Sea of Galilee. Israelis will be able to ski on Mt. Hermon beginning this weekend. According to Israel’s Water Authority, the surface of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is now 214.29 centimeters below sea level. There have been 120-150 millimeters of rain in Israel’s northern regions in both Galilee and the Golan Heights.
December’s precipitation also broke a 30-year record with high rain levels throughout Israel. The heavy rains in the north and center of Israel are currently at 60-80% of its annual precipitation. Israel’s ongoing drought reached an all-time high in the summer of 2018, the worst drought in the region in close to 100 years. This, along with delays in Israel’s desalination plants, led to a water crisis. Droughts in Israel lead to disastrous wildfires and affect agriculture and local farmers. READ MORE
