Additional Coverage:
Rare Rains Transform Sahara Desert into Blue Lagoons
In an extraordinary event, the Sahara Desert has experienced torrential rainfall, flooding its arid landscapes with blue lagoons. Southeastern Morocco, one of the driest regions on Earth, received more rain in two days than it typically sees in a year.
The heavy downpours have nourished the desert with more water than it has witnessed in decades. In Tata, one of the hardest-hit areas, over 3.9 inches of rain fell in 24 hours.
Satellite images from NASA reveal water rushing into Lake Iriqui, a lake bed that has been dry for half a century. Such an occurrence is exceptionally rare in the region, with only six instances of a nearby lake filling up since 2000.
While the rainfall brings joy to desert communities, it also poses challenges. Floods have killed over 20 people in Morocco and Algeria, and damaged crops. The government has allocated emergency funds to assist affected areas.
Meteorologists believe this extratropical storm could have long-term impacts on the region’s weather, increasing moisture retention and attracting more storms in the future.