Rare Floods Transform the Sahara Desert

For the first time in decades, the Sahara Desert, known as one of the driest and most barren places on Earth, experienced impressive floods. Images reveal large lakes emerging between sand dunes, creating an unexpected scene in one of the most arid regions of the world.

Although the Sahara receives minimal rainfall annually, typically only a few centimeters, the intensity of the rains in September was surprising. Over two days, a severe storm hit southeastern Morocco, caused by a low-pressure system moving across the northwest of the desert.

Preliminary data from NASA indicates that some areas recorded nearly 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rainfall, an unusual amount for the region. The desert city of Errachidia, for example, accumulated nearly 3 inches of rain, surpassing the monthly average by more than four times. This amount represents more than half of the expected rainfall for the entire year in the region.

Houssine Youabeb, from Morocco’s meteorological agency, noted that it had been 30 to 50 years since they had seen such intense rain in such a short time. As the water poured over the desert, it transformed the arid landscape, creating temporary lakes among palm trees and local vegetation.

Merzouga, a city in the heart of the desert, was one of the most affected by the rain. The flood carved new lakes into the dunes, reflecting the palm trees and creating scenes of rare beauty. Even normally dry lakes, like the one in Iriqui National Park, were filled with water.

NASA satellite images, using enhanced colors to highlight the flooded areas, clearly show newly formed lakes in parts of the northwestern Sahara, a rare sight in a place known for its extreme aridity.

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