In an extraordinary weather event, the Sahara Desert experienced its first significant floods in half a century.
Two days of intense rainfall in September brought more water than the region typically sees in a year, particularly affecting south-east Morocco.
Officials from Morocco’s meteorology agency reported that over 100mm (3.9 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours in Tagounite, a village 450km south of Rabat.
This deluge caused local lakes to fill and reservoirs to reach record levels. Satellite imagery from NASA even captured Lake Iriqui, a dry lake bed for 50 years, filling up after the heavy rains.
“This much rain in such a short time hasn’t been seen in 30 to 50 years,” said Houssine Youabeb, a meteorology official, highlighting the rarity of the event.
Meteorologists warn of changing weather patterns in the Sahara due to increased rainfall events.While some areas saw temporary lakes form between dunes, the consequences were severe.
The floods claimed 18 lives and extended to regions already impacted by a previous earthquake. The sudden replenishment of water in the region’s reservoirs was both a relief and a signal of changing climate conditions.
Experts say this storm, classified as an extratropical system, may signal a shift in the Sahara’s weather patterns. With more moisture in the air, there’s potential for more frequent storms in the future.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasized that global weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable.
“Rising temperatures are accelerating the hydrological cycle, creating more frequent instances of extreme weather—either too much or too little water.”
As global heating continues, scientists warn that such extreme events in the Sahara may become more common, posing new challenges for the region.