Morocco Desiccates: 6-Year Drought Strains Farms, Cities

Breaking Down the Crisis:

Years of Aridity: Morocco grapples with its worst drought on record, spanning six consecutive years.
Reservoir Distress: Dam water levels have plunged to critical lows, averaging just 23.2% capacity compared to the usual 31.5%. Rainfall deficits of 70% exacerbate the situation.
Al Masira’s Emptiness: Satellite imagery exposes the alarming state of Al Masira Dam, a crucial reservoir for Casablanca. It currently holds a meager 3% of its usual water volume.

Impact on Agriculture:

Shrinking Irrigated Land: The drought has slashed irrigated land area by nearly half, from 750,000 hectares to a concerning 400,000 hectares.
Farmers in Peril: Farmers like Mbark N’Ait Ali, a Taroudant produce grower, face devastated crops and lost investments due to halted dam irrigation.
Dry Wells: Previously reliable wells have run dry in many areas, forcing farmers to dig hundreds of meters deep with uncertain success.

Beyond the Fields:

Hammams on Hold: Iconic Moroccan hammams are forced to close three days a week to conserve water.
National Water Worries: Government campaigns urge citizens to adopt water-saving measures, highlighting the resource’s criticality.

Climate Change, The Invisible Culprit:

Heatwave Woes: Rising temperatures accelerate evaporation, further straining Morocco’s already limited water supplies.
Mountain Snowfall Meltdown: The lack of snowfall in the Atlas Mountains, a source for key rivers, disrupts water flow into crucial reservoirs.

An Uncertain Future:

Food Security Fears: A below-average cereal harvest is projected, potentially requiring increased wheat imports.
Economic Strain on Farmers: Many farmers are forced to sell livestock and take on debt due to drought-induced hardships.
Desalination Dilemma: The government sees desalination plants as a long-term solution, aiming for 1.3 billion cubic meters of desalinated water by 2035. However, these plants raise concerns about energy consumption and potential harm to marine ecosystems.

The Road Ahead:

Adaptation is Key: Morocco needs to develop long-term strategies to cope with increasingly frequent and severe droughts.
Sustainable Solutions: Implementing sustainable water management practices, improving irrigation techniques, and diversifying the agricultural sector are crucial for long-term resilience.