Winter’s first strong rainfall has sent water cascading through parts of the Gaza Strip.

The intermittent rain that began on Friday dripped through tears in tarpaulins and makeshift shelters in camps for the displaced.

On Sunday, the territory struggled to cope with the flooding amid the devastation caused by two years of war.

Residents in the sprawling Muwasi camp in Khan Younis said they attempted to dig trenches to keep the water from flooding their tents.

But the heavy downpour burst through the threadbare fabric worn thin by the summer sun, drenching families’ scant belongings.

Barefoot children splashed in puddles as women made tea outside under dark clouds.

Some people tried to shelter in destroyed buildings, even those at risk of collapse, with gaping holes covered by pieces of plastic.

According to the United Nations, Muwasi was sheltering up to 425,000 displaced Palestinians earlier this year.

Muwasi had largely been undeveloped sand dunes before the Israeli military designated it a humanitarian zone early in the war.

The Israeli defense body in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza has said it is allowing in winterization materials including blankets and heavy tarps.

But aid organizations warn the efforts are far from sufficient when winter temperatures plummet and the wind whips off the Mediterranean.