Morocco: Dam water exceeds 30 percent of its storage capacity

Morocco – An official Moroccan institution announced that the water of the dams in the country had risen to more than 30 percent of their absorptive capacity, as of Monday, following the recent rains.

This came according to data from the General Directorate of Water Engineering (a government agency affiliated with the Ministry of Equipment and Water), which it published on its website yesterday, Monday.

Since Friday, areas in Morocco have been witnessing rains that have revived the country’s dam reserves, which the country attributes to water scarcity due to the decline in the rainy season over the past years, and the risks facing the agricultural sector.

The dams’ stock reached 4.942 billion cubic meters at the beginning of April, making their stock more than 30 percent of the total capacity, following it was less than 25 percent a few days ago.

The directorate pointed out that the stock of 6 dams reached 100 percent, namely Chefchaouen, Cherif Idrissi, Nakhla, Oued Za, Bouhouda, and Sidi Idriss (north), while the rest of the dams differed in terms of their stock percentage.

Morocco is witnessing a delay in rainfall, which threatens a new year of drought, which will negatively affect the agricultural season, before the current rains revive farmers’ hopes.

For the fifth year in a row, Morocco faces a serious threat due to drought, and the annual deficit has reached one billion cubic meters of water, amid risks facing the agricultural sector, which represents the backbone of the country’s gross domestic product.

The retention of rain has caused a significant decline in the level of well-known rivers, such as the Moulouya River (north), one of the largest rivers in Morocco, which has become unable to reach its mouth for the first time in its history, due to severe drought and excessive consumption.

For decades, Morocco has relied on dams as part of its water strategy to ensure the supply of water to the population and agriculture.

There are 149 large dams in the Kingdom, which help store water and irrigate large areas of fields, as well as provide drinking water and electricity.

Anatolia