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Monday, 17 August 2026dailybeirut.com
Lebanon
The Litani River Authority announced an emergency breakdown on the main irrigation pipeline between Saida and Jezzine, causing a major water leak and a large hole in the road. Irrigation water will be cut off for at least four days starting Monday, August 17, 2026, affecting several towns.
The National Litani River Authority announced an emergency breakdown on the main pipeline of the Saida–Jezzine irrigation project, located on the central stretch of the Saida–Jezzine public road within the town of Lebaa, resulting in a significant water leak and the formation of a large hole in the middle of the road.
As a result of this breakdown, according to the statement, the Authority will be forced to cut off irrigation water starting from the afternoon of Monday, August 17, 2026, for a period of no less than four days, for the eastern northern section of the project, beginning from pressure breaker point (8), situated between the towns of Kfar Falous and Marah al-Habas.
Technical teams from the Lebaa Irrigation Division will begin excavation and inspection of the pipeline on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2026, to determine the nature and extent of the breakdown, in preparation for carrying out the necessary repair work, under the supervision of the Investment and Maintenance Directorate of the National Litani River Authority.
Coordination has been established with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport – Southern Regional Directorate, as well as with the President of the Jezzine Municipalities Union and the Lebaa Municipality, to monitor repair operations and implement necessary measures to ensure traffic safety and public safety at the worksite.
The Authority requests drivers and citizens to proceed with caution when passing near the breakdown site and excavation area, and to comply with posted instructions and signage, for their own safety and that of workers.
The towns and areas affected by the irrigation water interruption are:
Kfar Falous, Marah al-Habas, Lebaa, Karkha, Bqosta, Shouwaliq, Ain el-Meer partially, Wadi Beinokrain, Kfarya, Kfar Jara, Al-Salhiya, Al-Quriyeh (Al-Qarqashieh), Majdelyoun, and Aabra.
The Authority urges beneficiaries and farmers in the mentioned areas to "irrigate their crops and take necessary precautionary measures to cope with the irrigation water interruption period, with water supply resuming immediately upon completion of repair work and reactivation of the pipeline."
