By Abbas Nazil
Morocco’s ongoing water crisis has seen a temporary reprieve as heavy rainfall significantly replenished reservoirs, particularly in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The Oued El Makhazine dam, the largest in the area, has reached full capacity, joining three others under the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency (ABHL) that have also filled to their maximum levels.
The influx of rainwater has raised the region’s overall water reserves to more than 1.17 billion cubic meters, bringing the average dam filling rate to 61.38%.
The Oued El Makhazine dam alone holds 672.86 million cubic meters, followed by Charif Al Idrissi with 121.65 million, Chefchaouen with 12.24 million, and Nakhla with 4.21 million.
Several other major dams have recorded considerable gains, surpassing the halfway mark, though they remain below full capacity.
Tanger-Méditerranée is now 69.33% full, Smir has reached 77.74%, Kharroub stands at 54.91%, and Moulay El Hassan Ben El Mehdi has filled to 51.31%.
However, not all reservoirs have seen significant improvements, as some continue to hold much lower levels of water.
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Ibn Battouta stands at 48.53%, Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim Al Khattabi at 35.37%, Joumoua at 24.82%, Dar Khrofa at 23.25%, and the April 9 dam at just 23.08%.
The recent rainfall comes as a relief for Moroccan farmers and communities that have struggled through six consecutive years of drought, which has severely impacted water supplies.
The prolonged dry conditions have strained agriculture and led to drastic measures, including the cancellation of this year’s Eid Al-Adha sacrifice due to water shortages.
While the heavy rains have provided a much-needed boost to water reserves, many fear that the relief may only be temporary.
In response to dwindling natural water sources, Morocco has increasingly turned to desalination as an alternative, constructing new facilities along its coastline to reduce dependence on rainfall.
Despite these efforts, natural water sources remain a critical part of the country’s water management strategy.
The recent rains offer hope, but they may not be enough to reverse the long-term impact of persistent drought.
Experts and officials continue to emphasize the need for sustainable water management policies, urging the acceleration of efforts to ensure long-term water security.
While Morocco has seen short-term gains in its reservoirs, the fundamental question remains—will these rains mark the beginning of lasting recovery, or will the country need to adopt more aggressive measures to secure its water future?
