Rare Rainfall Causes Floods in Sahara Desert

A rare deluge of rainfall has transformed southeastern Morocco's Sahara desert into a scene of unexpected abundance, creating blue lagoons among the palm trees and sand dunes. This weather event, classified as an extratropical storm, delivered more water in two days than many regions had seen in decades, particularly in areas like Tata and Tagounite, which recorded over 100 mm in a single day. Meteorologist Houssine Youabeb noted that such significant rainfall had not occurred in 30 to 50 years. While this downpour brings much-needed relief to drought-stricken communities and may help refill groundwater aquifers, the storms also resulted in over 20 fatalities across Morocco and Algeria. The Moroccan government is recognizing the potential long-term impacts of these weather changes, which could alter regional climate patterns. Local residents and tourists alike are captivated by the striking images of water gushing through the desert landscape.