October 10th 2024.
In the small desert town of Merzouga, located in southeastern Morocco near Rachidia, a surprising and rare event occurred. The typically arid landscape, known for its scorching temperatures and lack of precipitation, was suddenly transformed by heavy rainfall. This caused an extraordinary phenomenon – palm trees standing tall in the middle of a lake.
For the first time in fifty years, parts of the Sahara Desert were flooded due to an unexpected downpour. This was a rare occurrence, as the desert region rarely experiences rain during the late summer season. However, two days of intense rainfall last month surpassed the yearly average in several areas where less than 250mm of rain is typically recorded.
In the village of Tagounite, located about 280 miles south of the capital city Rabat, over 100mm of rain was recorded in just 24 hours. The magnitude of these storms was unprecedented, leaving behind breathtaking images of water flowing through the sandy dunes, surrounded by majestic castles and desert vegetation. Even in the midst of this natural wonder, tourists in their 4x4s drove through the water-filled roads, while locals stood in awe of the incredible scene before them.
According to Houssine Youabeb, an expert from Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology, this amount of rain in such a short period of time has not been seen in the region for 30 to 50 years. This is a significant change for an area that is known for its extreme dryness, especially during the late summer months.
The Sahara Desert has faced six consecutive years of drought, which has greatly impacted the country. Farmers have been forced to leave their fields barren, while cities and villages have had to ration their water consumption. However, this sudden and unexpected rainfall is a ray of hope for the region, as it is likely to refill the large underground aquifers that provide water to the desert communities.
NASA satellite images showed the once-dry Lake Iriqui being replenished with water, and the region's reservoirs reported record rates of refilling throughout September. While it is uncertain how much this will alleviate the ongoing drought, it is a promising development for the future.
Unfortunately, this unexpected weather event also had its consequences. More than 20 people lost their lives in both Morocco and Algeria, and the heavy rains damaged farmers' crops. Emergency relief funds were allocated by the government, including to areas that were still recovering from last year's earthquake.
In the end, this rare deluge of rain has brought both blessings and challenges to the Sahara Desert. It has renewed hope for the region's future, while also reminding us of the power and unpredictability of nature.
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