The Sahara Desert Filled With Water After 50 Years!

By Lakshan Wickrema
October 18, 2024
7:36 GMT-0830

The Sahara desert is one of the most arid areas in the world. However, in October 2024 it faced torrential rains rarely seen in its existence. It was after half a century that vast areas of desert were flooding. Two days of rainfall in October exceeded yearly averages in several areas of southeast Morocco and caused a deluge. In some areas, rainfall exceeded 100mm. While rains in the Sahara might look like something miraculous and welcome, meteorologists consider these anomalies as changing weather patterns. Flooding also claimed some victims as well. Let us see how these rains turned out and also explore the potential impact.

The Geography and Climate of the Sahara

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning approximately 9.2 million square kilometers across North Africa. It stretches across Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. The desert is characterized by its extremely dry conditions. It receives less than 76 mm (3 inches) of rain per year on average. Rainfall in most areas is sporadic and brief, with some regions going years without significant precipitation.

In comparison, regions of the world with similar climates, like the Atacama Desert, experience even lower rainfall. The Sahara typically witnesses short, intense storms when it does rain, but flooding on a large scale is rare. Over the last 50 years, isolated rain events have been recorded, but none have caused widespread flooding like the one seen in October 2024.

The Flooding of October 2024

Between October 6 and 9, 2024, the Sahara experienced unprecedented rainfall. According to meteorological data, areas in southern Algeria, Western Sahara, Morocco, and Mauritania received up to 50 mm (2 inches) of rain in just a few hours. For a region that averages less than 3 inches of rain annually, this was a staggering amount in such a short period.

Image Source: CNN ( Flooding in the areas of the Sahara)

In Morocco, Tagounite, a village about 450km south of the capital, Rabat, more than 100mm was recorded in 24 hours. Satellite imagery from NASA showed Lake Iriqui being filled up. It is a lake bed between Zagora and Tata that had been dry for 50 years, “It’s been 30 to 50 years since we’ve had this much rain in such a short space of time,’ Houssine Youabeb, an official of Morocco’s meteorology agency told the Associated Press.

“It’s been 30 to 50 years since we’ve had this much rain in such a short space of time,’

Houssine Youabeb

Causes Behind the Sahara Desert Flooding

The Sahara’s unusual flooding in October 2024 was driven by an extratropical storm, not a cut-off low. This storm system, which formed over the Atlantic, brought significant moisture to the region. The storm’s cold air interacted with warm desert air, leading to heavy rainfall. Extratropical storms like this are rare in North Africa, but climate scientists suggest that global warming may be increasing the frequency of such extreme weather events. This event aligns with broader climate models predicting more intense storms and rainfall in arid regions like the Sahara.

Image Credit: The Independent ( Lake Iriqui filled with water)

Meteorologists also noted that a change in wind patterns played a role. The storm system combined with warm temperatures in the Mediterranean, created ideal conditions for heavy rain over the Sahara. These weather events align with global climate models that show an increase in extreme weather patterns, such as more intense rainfall in arid regions, as a result of climate change

@travelyourtwenties it hasnt done this in 10 years the locals seemed glad to have the rain for the most part! But tbh rain let alone *this* never crossed my mind since it is legit the SAHARA DESERT 🙈 *filmed mid September 2024* . . . #travel #traveltiktok #morocco #moroccotravel #moroccotravels #saharadesert #saharadesertflood ♬ original sound – william springfield

The Role of Climate Change

Climate scientists are closely studying the October 2024 flood event as an indicator of changing climate patterns in North Africa. While isolated storms in the Sahara are not unheard of, their frequency and intensity seem to be increasing. A study published in Nature Communications in 2022 suggested that the Sahara has expanded by 10% over the last century, primarily due to increasing temperatures. These changes could lead to more sporadic rainfall and extreme weather events.

As a result of rising temperatures, the hydrological cycle has accelerated. It has also become more erratic and unpredictable, and we are facing growing problems of either too much or too little water.

Celeste Saulo

In recent years, several climate models have predicted that parts of the Sahara may experience higher rainfall due to a warming climate. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can result in more intense downpours when rain does occur. Celeste Saulo, the secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization, said that water cycles across the world were changing with increasing frequency.

“As a result of rising temperatures, the hydrological cycle has accelerated. It has also become more erratic and unpredictable, and we are facing growing problems of either too much or too little water,” she said.

Impact on the Sahara Desert Ecosystem

The flooding in the Sahara has had profound impacts on the local ecosystem. While the desert is mostly barren, it supports a surprising amount of life adapted to its dry conditions. The influx of water has temporarily revived dormant plant species, which quickly began to sprout following the rainfall. Seeds that had lain dormant for years in the desert sands bloomed into small shrubs and grasses, creating patches of greenery where there was previously only sand.

Human Impact and Casualties

The human toll of the flooding has been significant, particularly in Morocco. Officials in Morocco said 18 people were killed in rural areas where infrastructure has historically been lacking, and 56 homes collapsed. Nine people were missing. Drinking water and electrical infrastructure were damaged, along with major roads. Among the dead in the region, where many tourists go to enjoy desert landscapes, were foreigners from Canada and Peru.

Rachid El Khalfi, Morocco’s Interior Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday that the government was working to restore communication and access to flooded regions in the “exceptional situation” and urged people to use caution.

@itvnews Rivers and lagoons have appeared in the Sahara Desert in southeastern Morocco following rare rainfall #itvnews ♬ original sound – itvnews

Long-Term Implications for the Region

The October 2024 floods have sparked debates about the long-term future of the Sahara. While the event was unusual, some scientists argue that the region could begin to see more frequent rainfall in the coming decades due to climate change. These predictions are based on climate models that show increasing variability in rainfall patterns, especially in arid regions.

If the Sahara does experience more rain in the future, it could have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and the people who live there. Increased rainfall could lead to the gradual “re-greening” of parts of the desert, similar to what occurred during the African Humid Period over 5,000 years ago. This could open up new opportunities for agriculture and settlement in areas that are currently uninhabitable.

Conclusion

The Sahara Desert’s first major flooding event in 50 years has highlighted the vulnerability of even the driest regions on Earth to extreme weather. The floods, which brought up to 50 mm of rain to parts of the desert in just a few days, have had both positive and negative impacts on the region’s ecosystem and human population. While the immediate effects of the floods have been devastating, the event has also sparked discussions about the long-term implications of climate change for the Sahara. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of a warming planet, the Sahara’s recent floods may serve as a harbinger of the challenges to come.

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