Flash floods invaded the town of Ras Baalbaq on June 13 where water levels reached 10 meters causing damage to cultivated lands and property and leaving several people dead. But despite the residents’ anticipations of the torrential rain at this time of the year, which was the strongest this year, many people accused the authorities of negligence which led to disastrous consequences. On the subject, deputy mayor of Ras Baalbaq, William Nasr, told Al Modon electronic newsportal that, following repeated alarms of climate change in the region, representatives of the Higher Relief Council and local MPs met at the municipality demanding the cleaning of riverbeds filled with rubble and dump, but their demands were not met. The owner of one shop in the town said the massive flooding came as a result of the desertification of the Jroud area, lamenting that the government failed to build a dam to prevent the natural calamity. House Speaker, Nabil Berri, for his part, contacted HRC head asking him to respond adequately and offer disaster assistance, and pressing for an emergency assessment of the damages to compensate those affected. Also, Baalbaq and Hermel MPs met yesterday to discuss the situation as requested by Hizbullah Municipal Work Directorate and Amal Movement Municipal Affairs. On the other hand, Al Diyar newspaper reported that wheat, grain and fruit growers, particularly peach farmers in the border town of Bkei’ah plains, Wadi Khaled, have not been spared the wrath of nature. Heavy rains crippled life in the town and inflicted heavy damages on the harvest season and on local farmers. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, June 15, 18, 2018)