Sahara Desert flooded for the first time in 50 years

Sahara Desert experienced severe flooding for the first time in 50 years after two days of torrential rainfall in southeastern Morocco.

Rainfall: The village of Tagounite, located 450 kilometers south of Rabat, received over 100 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours, surpassing the annual average rainfall for the region.

Impact: The heavy rainfall caused water to gush through the desert sands, transforming the arid landscape into a temporary waterlogged area. 

Lake Iriqui: The flooding filled Lake Iriqui, which had been dry since 1925, with water for the first time in 50 years.

Climate Change: Experts warn that climate change may increase the frequency of such extreme weather events in the future.

About the Sahara Desert The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering approximately 9.2 million square kilometers (about 3.6 million square miles).

Location: The Sahara spans across North Africa, covering parts of 11 countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.

Climate: The Sahara is known for its extreme temperatures, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 50°C (122°F) and nighttime temperatures dropping significantly.

Biodiversity: Despite its harsh conditions, the Sahara is home to a variety of wildlife, including the fennec fox, dromedary camels, and various reptiles and insects.