Morocco is on track to face its sixth consecutive year of drought due to increasing temperatures causing a significant drop in rainfall, announced the country’s water minister.
Nizar Baraka expressed concern during a news conference, stating, “We have entered a critical phase after five years in a row of drought, which our country has never experienced before.”
Drought poses a major challenge for Morocco, where the agriculture sector employs approximately one-third of the working population and contributes to 14 percent of exports, according to authorities.
Baraka highlighted that the last three months indicated the likelihood of another drought year, with a 67 percent decrease in rainfall compared to the average for that period, as reported by AFP.
The scarcity of water is further aggravated by rising temperatures, leading to increased evaporation in dams. The agriculture ministry predicts a rise in average temperatures by 1.3 degrees Celsius by 2050.
Currently, Morocco’s dams are filled to only 23.5 percent, down from 31 percent at the same time last year, according to Baraka, who described the situation as “very dangerous.”
Despite the challenges, Baraka expressed hope, stating, “Because the next three months (are usually) the rainiest in our country.” However, he acknowledged that local authorities might need to implement temporary water supply cuts.
To address water scarcity, Moroccan authorities are focusing on seawater desalination. Plans include the construction of seven desalination stations with a total capacity of 143 million cubic metres annually by the end of 2027.
Currently, there are 12 desalination stations in the country with a combined capacity of 179.3 million cubic metres annually, according to official data. The construction of a desalination station in Casablanca, the country’s largest city with a population of 6 million, is set to begin next month.