- Rare rain in the Sahara Desert fills sand dunes with blue lagoons
- Morocco receives its heaviest rainfall in 30 years
- What are the drastic weather changes warning about?
Rare rain in the Sahara Desert fills sand dunes with blue lagoons
Rare and heavy rains have struck southeastern Morocco, one of the driest regions in the world, causing unusual phenomena such as the appearance of blue lagoons between sand dunes and oases. This event amazed locals and tourists as nature revived long-dry areas, filling them with life-giving water[1].
The Moroccan government has reported that the two days in September saw more rain in some regions than in the whole year. In areas such as Tata, where the annual rainfall is less than 250 millimeters, residents reported particularly heavy rainfall. In the village of Tagounit, some 450 kilometers from the Moroccan capital Rabat, more than 100 millimeters of rain fell in 24 hours, almost the annual norm for the area.
Morocco receives its heaviest rainfall in 30 years
Houssine Youabeb of the Moroccan Directorate General of Meteorology noted that the region has not seen such heavy rainfall for 30-50 years: "It's been 30-50 years since we've had so much rain in such a short time."
This phenomenon, which meteorologists call an extratropical storm, has not only created a joyous sight, but also serious social and economic consequences. The water, which seeped through sand dunes and oases, not only revitalised local ecosystems but also caused considerable damage. Nearly 20 people lost their lives in Morocco and Algeria as the storm devastated local communities. Many farmers lost part of their crops as heavy rains flooded their fields. The government was forced to take urgent measures by declaring a state of emergency in some areas and allocating funds not only to those affected by the storm but also to those regions already affected by last year's earthquake.
The Moroccan region has been experiencing six years of drought conditions, which have severely impacted local farmers and water supplies. During the drought, many farmers were forced to abandon their fields due to a lack of water to sustain their crops, and in some areas, strict controls on water use were imposed. The sudden and heavy rainfall, which the region did not expect this year, can be seen as a short-term respite. However, whether it can contribute to a long-term solution to the drought problem is questionable.
Experts say that high rainfall can significantly replenish underground water storage - a vital water source for desert communities. Saharan desert populations depend heavily on these stores to survive during dry periods. In addition, the desert reservoirs have recorded a record rise in water levels, with a significant increase during September. The Iriqui Lake, a famous lake bed between Zagora and Tata, which has been dry for the last 50 years, has become a unique phenomenon. NASA satellites captured spectacular images as water flooded the area after decades of drought. This natural wonder will undoubtedly become a tourist attraction for locals and tourists alike, drawing new visitors worldwide.
What are the drastic weather changes warning about?
Climatologists warn that this extratropical storm phenomenon could be part of a long-term climate change. Houssine Youabeb noted that these rainstorms may be linked to a warming climate, but there is a growing debate as to whether this process can explain them. More moisture is retained in the air, leading to more evaporation and frequent storms, which may create new climate patterns in the region. While these changes may help to combat droughts to some extent, they can also lead to extreme weather events, such as floods or high winds.
However, there is a growing debate about whether the drastic climate changes can be explained by global warming alone. Human attempts to regulate the laws of nature - such as creating artificial clouds or other technological experiments - are also often seen as impacting such phenomena. The world seeks to understand and control nature, but sometimes, these attempts lead to unpredictable consequences, which we explain by climate change when we lack precise answers.
Sudden and severe storms warn not only of the effects of climate change but also of the possibilities and limits of human intervention in natural processes. The Sahara Desert, long a place of extreme climatic conditions, may become a region of more frequent rainstorms. This poses new challenges for local populations and farmers, who have struggled to survive drought conditions for many years.
Over millennia, the Sahara region has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to changing natural conditions. The desert, once a crossroads of trade and culture, has preserved many ancient oases that have become the lifeblood of local communities.
