When we think of the Sahara Desert, we often envision scorching heat and vast expanses of barren sand. However, surprisingly, many areas of this desert have recently experienced flooding following heavy rains.
Rare heavy rains have created cool water bodies in the Sahara Desert, resulting in more water in these areas than at any other time in decades.
The Sahara Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, and at this time of year, rainfall is almost nonexistent. Yet, the Moroccan government reported that two days of heavy rainfall recently brought more precipitation than the annual average to some regions.
The desert in southeastern Morocco, one of the driest places on Earth, is now flooded. (Photo: AP).
Thunderstorms have created a striking sight, with water flooding the sand in the Sahara. Satellites from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) indicate that water has filled Iquiri Lake, a well-known lake that has been dry for the past 50 years.
Heavy rains have brought more rainfall than at any other time in the last decade to the Sahara Desert region. (Photo: AP).
Meteorologists suggest that such rains in the Sahara Desert are part of extratropical storms, which can alter the region’s weather for many months or even years to come, as the atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to increased evaporation and consequently more thunderstorms or storms.
Vehicles transporting tourists to a lake formed by the rare heavy rains in the desert town of Merzouga (Morocco). (Photo: AP).
The significant rainfall in this area is indeed quite rare, especially as much of Morocco has faced six consecutive years of drought, according to AP. However, it remains unclear how much this rainfall will alleviate the drought conditions. In reality, the water flooding the sand has led to the deaths of over 20 people in Morocco and Algeria and has damaged crops for many farmers. Consequently, the governments of these countries have had to provide assistance to affected residents through emergency funds, particularly in areas impacted by the earthquake a year ago.
