### Unprecedented Rainfall Drenches Morocco's Sahara Desert

A rare and extraordinary rainfall event has brought unusual blue lagoons to the Sahara Desert, offering a much-needed lifeline to some of Morocco’s driest areas. Nestled among the palm trees and sand dunes, southeastern Morocco saw an unprecedented two days of rain in September, surpassing annual averages in some of its most parched regions. The desert, known for being one of the most arid places on Earth, hardly ever experiences rain during late summer. In Tata, one of the worst-hit areas, rainfall totals notably surpassed yearly norms, which are typically less than 250 millimeters (10 inches).

In the village of Tagounite, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of Rabat, meteorological records indicated over 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) of rain in a mere 24-hour period. This sudden deluge left vivid images of water flowing through the Saharan sands, transforming the landscape dramatically and astonishing both residents and tourists. Houssine Youabeb, a representative of Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology, noted, "It's been 30 to 50 years since we've had this much rain in such a short space of time."

Meteorologists have classified these events as an extratropical storm, suggesting that such rains could alter the region's weather patterns in the future. Increased moisture in the air could lead to more evaporation and subsequently more storms. These rains are particularly timely, as Morocco has suffered six consecutive years of drought. This prolonged dry period has compelled farmers to leave their fields unfarmed and led to water rationing in both urban and rural settings.

The recent downpour is expected to help recharge the vast groundwater aquifers that many desert communities depend on. Throughout September, reservoirs in the affected regions reported unprecedented refilling rates. Despite this, the full impact of the September rains on mitigating the long-term drought remains uncertain. The floods, while offering a respite, have also caused damage, claiming more than 20 lives in Morocco and Algeria, and disrupting farmers' harvests. The Moroccan government has had to allocate emergency relief funds to tackle the aftermath, especially in areas already hit by an earthquake last year.

NASA satellite images captured water once again filling Lake Iriqui, a famed lakebed between Zagora and Tata, which had been dry for 50 years.