Sahara Desert Flooded After Rare 50-Year Weather Phenomenon

Sahara near Rabat, Morocco, flooded with rare rainfall—more water than seen in decades!

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• October 12, 2024

The Sahara Desert is widely recognized as one of Earth's driest and hottest regions. It extends across much of North Africa and rarely experiences significant rainfall.

However, a recent and rare weather event has brought an unexpected amount of water to this arid landscape. Parts of Morocco, in particular, have transformed dramatically, with pools of water filling typically dried areas.

In early September, southeastern Morocco saw a remarkable rain that exceeded the area's usual annual totals. Typically, this region receives less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rainfall annually.

Yet, in just 24 hours, some areas were overwhelmed with more than 100 millimeters (about 3.9 inches) of rain. Tagounite, a small village about 280 miles south of Morocco's capital, Rabat, was one of the hardest-hit locations.

This unprecedented downpour resulted in more than a third of the region's average annual rainfall in a single day. Meteorological experts have pointed out the unusual nature of this event, noting that it has been 30 to 50 years since such intense rainfall was recorded in this area.

Given the Sahara's notorious reputation for dry and inhospitable conditions, this significant rainfall has captured the attention of local communities and weather observers alike, marking a striking departure from the norm in this extreme environment.

Parts of Morocco are experiencing severe flooding.

The sudden rainfall had visible effects on the landscape. NASA satellite images captured water flowing into the bed of Lake Iriqui, located between the towns of Tata and Zagora. This lake bed had been dry for 50 years, but now it holds water again, showcasing the magnitude of the rainfall.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles were seen navigating the newly formed pools of water throughout the desert, creating a strange and rare sight for an environment known for its vast expanses of sand.

While the heavy rains were a surprise, they also brought some benefits to the region. The stormwater helped replenish groundwater aquifers, underground rock, and soil layers that hold water.

These aquifers are vital to communities living in desert areas as they provide a necessary drinking water supply. The rains also refilled dammed reservoirs in the region, although it remains unclear if this will be sufficient to prevent future droughts.

The floods come after the area experienced its heaviest rainfall in half a century.

However, the rains also brought significant challenges. In Morocco and Algeria, over 20 people tragically lost their lives due to the flooding. In Morocco alone, officials confirmed that 18 people died, and 56 homes were destroyed.

The floods also damaged essential infrastructure, including roads, electricity networks, and drinking water systems. Local agriculture also suffered, with harvests being affected by the intense rainfall. The Moroccan government has set up emergency relief funds to help those affected by the disaster.

These floods followed a major earthquake that struck Morocco just last year, killing nearly 3,000 people and causing widespread destruction in communities in the High Atlas mountains. A series of natural disasters have hit the country, and the recent rains, while beneficial in some ways, have added to the challenges faced by the population.

This rare weather event shows how climate and environmental conditions can shift unexpectedly, even in places as seemingly unchanging as the Sahara Desert. The floods have had positive and negative effects, refilling water supplies and causing destruction and loss of life.

As climate patterns continue to evolve, such extreme events may become more frequent, making it crucial for regions like Morocco to prepare for both their benefits and challenges.

Damjan