Sahara floods bring Morocco’s southeastern desert back to life

Unusual rains in Morocco’s southeastern desert have revived parched landscapes, transforming dry basins into lush, temporary oases, AFP reports. In Merzouga, a popular tourist destination 600 kilometers southeast of the capital Rabat, lakes and ponds have reappeared for the first time in decades, attracting visitors eager to witness the rare phenomenon. “We’re incredibly happy about the recent rains,” said local guide Youssef Ait Chiga, guiding tourists through the refreshed dunes. French visitor Laetitia Chevallier described the desert’s transformation as “a blessing from the sky,” noting the revival of plants and animals across the area.

The September rains triggered floods which killed at least 28 people and came as the country suffers its worst drought in 40 years. Last year was Morocco’s driest in 80 years, with a 48% drop in rainfall threatening the country’s critical agriculture sector. While, climate scientist Fatima Driouech notes it’s too soon to confirm if they are a direct result of climate change, Morocco’s meteorological agency anticipates that such downpours could become increasingly frequent.