The Sea of Galilee’s water level is now minus 213.5 meters, 4.6 meters below its maximum level.
During the Passover holiday, the Sea of Galilee’s water level rose 25 centimeters, which means an additional 40 million cubic meters in ten days. The water level is now minus 213.5 meters, 4.6 meters below its maximum level. It is estimated that another 760 million cubic meters are needed to fill up the lake.
Despite the rain, some municipalities in central Israel, including the Tel Aviv and Holon municipalities, started irrigating public gardens, although the regulations forbid irrigation before the beginning of May. The Water Commission said that local authorities irrigating gardens contrary to regulations risk being fined. Under the regulations approved by the government in 2001, gardens may be watered only in the evening and at nighttime in May-October.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 4 April, 2002