A highly unusual deluge has left bright blue lagoons amid the palm trees and sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, rejuvenating some of the most drought-stricken regions with water levels not seen in decades.
Southeastern Morocco, known for its extreme aridity, typically experiences little or no rainfall in the late summer months.
But the Moroccan government reported that two days of continuous rain in September exceeded annual averages in several regions that receive less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) of precipitation each year.
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Tata, one of the hardest-hit areas, and Tagounite, a village about 280 miles south of Rabat, recorded more than 3.9 inches of rainfall in just 24 hours.
This stunning transformation brought striking images of water cascading through the sands of the Sahara, showcasing the landscape dotted with castles and desert flora.
In communities popular with tourists, desert 4×4 vehicles navigated through newly formed puddles, while locals marveled at the unprecedented spectacle.
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However, despite their benefits, the storms also had tragic consequences, with more than 20 deaths reported in Morocco and Algeria.
The floods have also damaged farmers’ crops, prompting the government to allocate emergency relief funds, particularly in areas still recovering from last year’s devastating earthquake that killed at least 2,960 people .
Houssine Youabeb, of Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, said: “It’s been 30 to 50 years since we had this much rain in such a short time.”
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Meteorologists attributed the phenomenon to an extratropical storm, which could significantly change weather conditions in the region in the coming months and years.
As the air retains more moisture, increased evaporation could cause new storms, potentially changing the desert climate.
Before the recent rains, drought hit Morocco for six consecutive years, forcing farmers to abandon their fields and ration water in towns and villages.
Rainfall is expected to replenish the vast underground aquifers that supply water to desert communities.
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The region’s reservoirs saw record filling rates throughout September, although it remains unclear what impact this rainfall will have on long-term drought conditions.
NASA satellites captured images of water flowing into Lake Iriqui, a historic lake bed between Zagora and Tata that has remained dry for half a century.
The rainfall not only offers a glimmer of hope for a barren land, but also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of nature in one of the world’s most extreme environments.
Article contains additional reporting from the Associated Press
