Rare Flooding Hits Morocco's Sahara Desert

In an unprecedented weather event, parts of the Sahara Desert experienced rare heavy rainfall that led to flooding, marking the first such occurrence in almost 50 years. Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology reported that some areas received over 200 mm of rain in just 48 hours, with localities like Tata and Tagounite seeing significant rainfall. While this deluge has rejuvenated the landscape, bringing life back to lakes and ponds, it has also resulted in tragic consequences, including over 20 fatalities in Morocco and Algeria. Tourists and locals have described the rains as a 'blessing from the sky', celebrating the transformation of the once-parched desert into a greener landscape. However, the rainfall is a stark contrast to the severe drought conditions that have plagued Morocco, which faced its driest year in 80 years last year. Experts warn that without further rain, the newly filled lakes could evaporate within a year, underscoring the region's ongoing water stress issues.