Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water, addressed ongoing drought issues in Morocco despite recent rainfall and snowfall. Improvements in water storage and reduced drought intensity have been noted, although certain regions continue to struggle. The minister underscored the importance of effective water management and dam construction to enhance future water availability.
Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water, addressed the challenges Morocco faces notwithstanding the recent rainfall and snowfall that have benefited various regions. He confirmed that the nation continues to grapple with a structural drought crisis, although there have been notable improvements lately, including a decrease in drought intensity due to the recent weather phenomena.
The minister highlighted that this rainfall substantially impacts dam reservoirs and the agricultural sector. Noteworthy areas, such as Chefchaouen, Taza, and Taounate, received rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters, while cities like Rabat and Beni Mellal recorded more than 170 millimeters. Snowfall covered an expansive area of 11,000 square kilometers, marking a significant improvement over the previous year.
Baraka revealed that current water storage in dams amounts to 6 billion cubic meters, illustrating over 35% of total capacity. Recent days have seen an influx of 1.4 billion cubic meters into the dams, with four major basins—Loukkos, Tensift, Oum Er-Rbia, and Moulouya—surpassing 50% capacity.
Further, he noted that Morocco has transitioned to moderate drought conditions, an improvement of 18% compared to the annual average. Nevertheless, certain regions, particularly Tensift, Souss, and the southern provinces, still endure drought. However, areas like Oued Noun, Ziz, and Ghriss have recovered from severe drought, contributing to improved drinking water availability in cities such as Errachidia and Zagora, where resources can sustain supply for several years.
Despite the positive outlook, Baraka emphasized the urgency of accelerating the implementation of royal directives for effective water resource management. This includes enhancing rainwater storage through dam construction, which now has a reduced timeframe of six months to three years.
In conclusion, the minister announced that Morocco aims for a total dam storage capacity of 20 billion cubic meters, with 6 billion already secured due to recent precipitation. The target is to achieve a storage capacity of 26 billion cubic meters by 2030.
In summary, despite recent rainfall and snowfall, Morocco still faces persistent drought challenges. However, notable improvements in water storage and rainfall impact indicate progress. With strategic management and the construction of additional dams, there is optimism for enhanced water availability in the coming years. The government’s commitment to improving water resources will be crucial in addressing the ongoing effects of drought.
Original Source: fesnews.media
