Dramatic pictures have emerged of the first floods in the Sahara in half a century. Two days of rainfall in September exceeded yearly averages in several areas of south-east Morocco and caused a deluge, officials of the country’s meteorology agency said in early October. In Tagounite, a village about 450km(280 miles) south of the capital, Rabat, more than 100mm (3.9 inches) was recorded in a 24-hour period.
The floods have caused widespread damage, with homes, roads, and bridges destroyed. The government has declared a state of emergency in several provinces. More than 1,000 people have been displaced, and at least 24 people have been killed. The floods have also cut off many villages from the outside world.
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. It covers about 10% of the Earth’s land area. The desert is very dry, with an average annual rainfall of less than 10mm (0.4 inches). The floods in Morocco are a reminder that even the driest places on Earth can be affected by extreme weather events.
Climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense. The floods in Morocco are likely to be the first of many. It is important to be prepared for these events and to take steps to mitigate their impact.
The floods in Morocco are a tragedy. They have caused widespread suffering and destruction. It is important to remember that the people of Morocco are not alone in facing the challenges of climate change. We all need to work together to build a more resilient future.
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