At the end of February through the beginning of March, heavy rains struck Palestine. This was a welcome change from the dry weather, particularly in Palestinian agricultural areas. However, communities in Qalqilya and Tulkarm located near the Wall witnessed the flooding of their fields and greenhouses and the destruction of crops and infrastructure.
This is not the first time this has occurred. In 2005, water damned up by the Wall caused similar damages. This is because the entrance to the drainage system, which consists of an exposed tunnel built under the Wall, is fenced over. As such, waste, debris, and dirt build up at the entrances of these tunnels, resulting in flooding during heavy rains.
In Qalqilya city, 150 dunums planted with vegetables were flooded, in addition to 15 dunums of citrus trees. In addition to the loss of the crop, 10 green houses and several chicken coops were wrecked. Three homes had to be evacuated.
In Zeita, north of Tulkarm, 100 dunums belonging to residents of Nizlet âIsa, Baqa ash-Sharqiya and Zieta was flooded. Greenhouses and farms erected on 35 dunums were severely damaged.
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