Heavy rain brings significant water relief to Draa-Tafilalet region

Recent heavy rains have brought temporary relief to drought-stricken Morocco, although experts caution that it is insufficient to address the country's ongoing water crisis.

The Guir-Ziz-Rheris Water Basin Agency reported that the rainfall between April 11 and 13 delivered approximately 24.18 million cubic meters of water to the region’s dams. This influx of water is anticipated to enhance water resources and support agricultural activities in Draa-Tafilalet.

According to the agency, the total water storage capacity in major dams has now exceeded 308 million cubic meters. Specifically, the Hassan Addakhil Dam currently holds 215.5 million cubic meters, representing 68.91% of its total capacity. Meanwhile, the Kaddoussa Dam contains 85.33 million cubic meters (38.09%), and the Toudgha Dam holds 7.17 million cubic meters (19.64%).

The agency noted that this rainfall will assist in recharging groundwater, increasing spring flows, and boosting agricultural productivity.

The Draa-Tafilalet region experienced substantial rainfall during these three days, which is expected to positively impact both water storage and farming efforts.

The General Directorate of Meteorology had issued a weather alert last week, predicting rainfall amounts ranging from 40 to 70 mm in several areas, including Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Errachidia, Al Haouz, Midelt, Taroudant, and Azilal.

This precipitation follows a period of heavy rain and snowfall that affected many parts of Morocco last month, which had disrupted transportation and closed schools in some regions. Nevertheless, it was welcomed as a reprieve from the prolonged drought that has plagued the country for over a year.

Despite this positive development, experts emphasize that recent rainfall alone will not resolve Morocco’s long-standing water issues. “Morocco has always been a country of drought. This is structural, not something new. It existed before the establishment of the Moroccan state, before the Idrisid dynasty,” stated Mohammed-Said Karrouk, a professor of climatology at Hassan II University of Casablanca.