Torrential rains in the Negev Monday filled to the point of overflowing all water impoundment dams in the desert area, the Israel Water Planning Company announced here today.
The Tel Yeruham Dam, which has a capacity of 500,000 cubic metres of water was filled within 90 minutes as swollen streams rushed down from the hills and emptied into the basin. Smaller dams were filled within shorter periods and considerable water was lost.
Negev farmers were jubilant at the timing of the rains, which broke after the winter crop had been sowed. Traffic was disrupted in some areas and several cars full of students on a tour of the Negev were forced to abandon their trip until the floods had subsided.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
