The heavy rains that fell in the past week flooded the ancient cistern in the Tel Megiddo National Park, which filled up for only the third time in the last 32 years.
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The cistern, located inside a tunnel dated to the 9th century BCE, filled up to a depth of over a meter of water. Additionally, the water flooded the pathway to the well itself, which usually serves hikers for crossings into other parts of the park.
The tunnel itself is estimated to date back to the time of the biblical King Ahab and served as a hidden passage to allow a supply of water to the city of Megiddo during times of war.
According to Nature and Parks Authority officials, the last time the cistern filled up was in February 2021.
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Nature and Parks authority workers at the site
(Photo: Rachel Edri, Nature and Parks Authority)
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Flooded path at the Tel Megiddo National Park,
(Photo: Rachel Edri, Nature and Parks Authority)
Lucy Yosef, the manager of Megiddo National Park at the Nature and Parks Authority, said: "The cistern is located in a tunnel on the western outskirts of the valley, known as the 'Ancient Waterworks.' To reach the waterworks, one must descend 183 vertical steps, about 60 meters in depth, to the source of the spring water. The location is considered to be an advanced engineering feat for its technological sophistication during the period in which it was built."