Severe winter storms are exacerbating flooding in Gaza, a problem aid agencies say has been worsened by two years of conflict with Israel. Bombardment and demolitions have removed natural barriers against flooding, while compacted soil reduces water absorption.
Gaza Flood Risk Increased by War
Analysis of radar satellite imaging and videos shows the extent of the flooding as residents contend with severe winter weather. Experts say the Gaza Strip was already prone to flooding, but the ongoing conflict has significantly increased the risk.
Relentless bombardment and demolitions have leveled buildings and vegetation that previously acted as natural buffers against floodwaters during the winter months. The soil has also become more compacted, hindering its ability to absorb water.
βRainfall now rapidly becomes polluted runoff – pooling in craters, urban ruins, and displacement camps,β said Shafiqul Islam, a professor of engineering and diplomacy at Tufts University and Harvard Radcliffe fellow.
Verified footage from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza shows men carrying a woman on a mattress through floodwaters away from a tent shelter.
According to a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, rubble and debris from destroyed homes are blocking natural drainage paths and filling sewage networks, leading to severe flooding even with moderate rainfall.
Unicef spokesperson Tess Ingram stated that flooding is causing sewage to mix with stormwater, increasing the risk of infection, including diarrhoea, as the contaminated water flows through populated areas.
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