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Flooding in the Sahara desert fills lake that had been dry for 50 years

flooding-in-the-sahara-desert-fills-lake-that-had-been-dry-for-50-years
Flooding in the Sahara desert fills lake that had been dry for 50 years

An extreme onslaught of rain in Morocco — about a year’s worth in two days — brought desperately needed water to some of the Saraha desert’s more arid regions, the Associated Press reported.

The North African nation’s government said that the September deluge was the most seen in decades, particularly in the southeastern village of Rabat, where 4 inches of rain poured in a day.

Lake Iriqui, a lake bed between Zagora and Tata that had been dry for 50 years, was filled by the rainfall in images from NASA satellites.

Merzouga was also slammed with precipitation.

In Morocco, intense rains brought water to areas and a lake that had been dry for decades. Seen is the area near the town of town of Merzouga.

In Morocco, intense rains brought water to areas and a lake that had been dry for decades. This image shows a flooded location in the town of Merzouga. AP

Sand dunes will filled with flowing rains after a major storm in September by Morocco's town Merzouga.

Sand dunes were filled with flowing rains after a major storm in September. AP

As typically under 10 inches are seen annually there, people sped through the puddles and areas of the oasis in 4×4 all-terrain vehicles.

Excited locals near Rachidia drove through the rain leftovers.

Excited locals near Rachidia drove through the rain leftovers. AP

An oasis formed in the Moroccan area of Merzouga thanks to the storm.

An oasis formed in the Moroccan area of Merzouga, thanks to the storm. AP

The storm comes after six straight years of droughts.

“It’s been 30 to 50 years since we’ve had this much rain in such a short space of time,” said Houssine Youabeb, who works with Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology.

He added that the rains may have a years-long effect on the country’s weather, thanks to increased moisture in the air.

Another impact of the September storm resulted in reservoirs refilling at a record pace and bringing additional water sources to locals.

Experts anticipate the excess rains around Merzouga to have long term impacts on the climate in Morocco.

Experts suggest the excess rains around Merzouga could have long-term impacts on the climate in Morocco. AP

Merzouga and other areas received several inches of rain in 24 hours last month.

Merzouga and other areas received several inches of rain in 24 hours last month. AP

As far as alleviating the drought, it is still too soon to tell what effect the recent rains will have.

The storm claimed 20 lives between Morocco and neighboring Algeria and harmed crop production.

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