War-Damaged Buildings in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs Face a New Threat from Winter

The war’s damage is still shaping daily life in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where battered buildings now face another danger: winter weather.

Forecasters have warned of strong winds and heavy rainfall beginning Saturday night. Several municipalities in the southern suburbs have responded by telling residents to stay away from buildings damaged during months of Israeli bombardment.

The concern is that deteriorating structures could collapse if the weather turns severe. Yet some residents have continued to work and remain at their businesses, saying they have little choice but to risk entering buildings that may no longer be safe.

Across Beirut and Mount Lebanon, including the southern suburbs, 71 buildings were partially destroyed during the war. Another 205 buildings are undergoing reinforcement and rehabilitation.