Rare Floods Transform Moroccan Sahara After Torrential Rains

Unprecedented rainfall has inundated the Sahara for the first time in nearly 50 years, highlighting climate change's impact on weather patterns.

Morocco's Sahara Desert experienced significant flooding due to record-breaking rainfall, with over 200 millimeters falling in just 48 hours.
These extreme weather events, described as extratropical storms, have reshaped the desert landscape, filling long-dry areas like Lake Iriqui.
The floods have resulted in 18 fatalities, the collapse of 56 homes, and severely disrupted infrastructure, including roads and airports.
Experts warn that such intense precipitation events may become more frequent due to climate change, which accelerates the hydrological cycle.
In Marrakech, recent storms caused severe flooding, leading to school closures and flight disruptions, raising concerns about drainage systems.