Decreased rainfall in Morocco was reflected in the dams in the Kingdom this season with only 34.1% f capacity filled as of this January 14, according to the Ministry of Equipment and Water.
In its daily bulletin on the main dams in the country, the ministry highlighted that the filling rate of dams during the same period last year amounted to 44.4%, noting a significant increase.
The bulletin indicated that the volume of major dams in Morocco has reached 5.49 billion cubic meters, while last year, they accounted for 6.92 billion cubic meters.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests said during a session of oral questions in the House of Representatives that “the lack of rain has affected agricultural activity in many ways.”
The Minister of Agriculture pointed out that the recorded deficit in precipitation amounted to 47% compared to the previous year, and 61% compared to a normal year.
International scientists have said 2021 was the sixth warmest year on record, saying it is a “direct effect” of climate change.
On average, 2021 was 0.84 degrees Celsius hotter than the baseline between 1901 and 2000, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a report issued on Thursday.
Climate change can affect the intensity and frequency of precipitation. Warmer oceans increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air. When more moisture-laden air moves over land or converges into a storm system, it can produce more intense precipitation, resulting in heavier rain and snowstorms.
Moroccan dams have been underfilled throughout this year, as rainfall projections slow weekly. Even the most filled dams are still in deficit compared to last year.
Al Wahda Dam recorded the most important rate of more than 2.08 billion cubic meters, with a filling rate of 59.2%, compared to 63.3% a year ago.
In the second rank, comes the Idriss I Dam, with a volume of 509.7 million cubic meters, with a filling rate of 45.1%, compared to 62.5% during the same period last year, exceeding 706 million cubic meters.
In third place, with a filling rate of 67.7%, Wadi El-Makhaz dam comes with a cylinder of about 455.4 million cubic meters.
Despite forecasts of “drought,” the area of cultivated land since the start of the agricultural season in Morocco has reached 3.7 million hectares, including 3.14 million hectares of grain, while the area of irrigated crops has reached 100,000 hectares, which will enable a steady supply for the Moroccan market.
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