Rare rain floods the Sahara desert, a dry lake filled for the first time in 50 years

An infrequent downpour has transformed the Sahara desert, one of the driest and most arid regions in the world, into a scene of blue lagoons nestled among palm trees and sand dunes.

The unexpected rain left stunning images of water running across the sands of the Sahara, surrounding ancient castles and desert flora. Satellite images captured the remarkable relief of Lake Iriqui, a famous lake bed that had been dry for half a century.

Southeast Morocco usually receives little or no rain until late summer. However, in September, two days of rain exceeded the annual average in several areas that receive less than 250 millimeters of rain per year.

Tata, one of the hardest-hit regions, experienced unprecedented rainfall, with more than 100 millimeters recorded in a 24-hour period in the village of Tagounite, about 450 kilometers south of Rabat.

“We haven’t seen this much rain in such a short time for 30 to 50 years,” said Houssine Youabeb of Morocco’s Directorate General of Meteorology.

Meteorologists, referring to the event as an extratropical storm, suggested that this rain could alter the region’s weather patterns in the coming months and years. As the air holds more moisture, increased evaporation could lead to more frequent storms, Youaeb explained.

After six consecutive years of drought that left farmers abandoning their fields and communities rationing water, these rains can help replenish underground aquifers crucial to life in these desert areas. Impounded reservoirs across the region recorded record refill levels throughout September. However, the long-term impact on the drought remains uncertain.

The downpours also caused tragedy, leaving more than 20 dead in Morocco and Algeria and devastating farmers’ crops. In response, the Moroccan government has allocated emergency aid funds, especially for areas also affected by last year’s earthquake.