The Kinneret
The KinneretIsrael news photo: Flash 90

The water level in Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) has dropped 20 centimeters in the past month, according to environmental officials.

At present, the water level stands only 43 centimeters above the red line, the Water Authority reported.

Officials said the water level is expected to continue to drop over the course of the summer, and is likely to fall below the red line.

The “red line” – 213 meters below sea level – is a recommended level at which water should no longer be drawn from the lake.

Earlier this year, it seemed as though Israel might luck out and manage to suprpass the red line, but not enough winter rains came to make it a reality.

The six-year drought in Israel has nevertheless forced government officials to ignore warnings not to drawl water from the lake.