The collapse of two silos on the northern side of the grain silos building coincided with the second anniversary of the August 4 explosion, evoking similar feelings in everyone who witnessed the explosion two years ago, although the absence of casualties alleviated the weight of grief and sorrow. Two days ago, two silos (numbers 49 and 56) collapsed. Four days prior, another two silos (numbers 35 and 42) fell after their tilt reached eight degrees shortly before their collapse. Today, only four silos remain on that side (numbers 63, 70, 77, and 84), containing about 2,500 tons of corn, and their fall is merely "a matter of time," according to Environment Minister Dr. Nasser Yasin.
Two main factors support this hypothesis: the first pertains to the lack of foundations to support them, and the second relates to the degree of daily tilt these silos are experiencing, with their bend having reached approximately three degrees by yesterday afternoon, according to sensor data. They are gradually approaching "the same level of tilt as the Leaning Tower of Pisa"! Although there are differences in that the latter "has foundations and a stable structure," as stated by Dr. Mohammed Abyad, the environment minister's advisor and the head of the scientific committee for grain processing at the Port of Beirut following the August 4 explosion.
There is no timing for the moment these silos will fall nor a scenario for how it will occur, although Abyad currently indicates that it will resemble the fall of the previous two silos, meaning into the water pit left by the prior collapse. However, there is concern about the potential effects of the "anticipated event" on the southern side, which remains stable for now, according to Minister Yasin, considering that the four silos expected to fall are closest to the silos on the southern side, separated by a passage of only a few meters.
In this context, Abyad presents two scenarios for the collapse: the first is the possibility of the silos falling into the pit without affecting the foundations of the southern side, in which case "we could extract the remaining wheat from one of the silos on that side, which is about 2,000 tons, and manage it easily." The second scenario is the possibility that the fall of these silos would impact the foundations of the southern side, "and there lies the problem, concerning the potential disruptions and disintegration that could result in collapses." While Abyad leans towards the first scenario, based on the observations of the northern silos, he notes that "no one can reasonably assess the impact on the southern side" at this point.
Close to the daily monitoring of the building's condition, there is a serious discussion today about what the fate of the southern side of the grain silos building might be, especially if it remains stable. According to Yasin, there is serious consideration regarding "the possibility of preserving that side to commemorate August 4," but this is contingent upon what the northern side may "decide."
