A recent report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) raises alarm over the critical impact of prolonged drought and record temperatures on the Mediterranean region, including Morocco.
The paper pointed out that the “severe and prolonged drought events have affected Europe for more than two years and Northern Africa for six years,” leading to “water shortages and hampering vegetation growth.”
Morocco’s six-year drought crisis has reached peak, with reservoirs at alarmingly low levels as the average dam filling plateaued at 23%. This critical situation led to imposing restrictions, including banning water use for cleaning roads, irrigation of parks, and some farming areas.
This situation extends beyond Morocco, as other Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy face similar challenges.
The report additionally highlighted that “rain deficit and record-high temperatures in January 2024 affected winter crops and fruit trees along the coast in Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Mediterranean islands, while Morocco and Algeria saw a reduced crop growth.”
The European Commission warns of a warmer-than-average spring in 2024, coupled with reduced snowmelt from the Alpine region, which could result in lower river flows in spring and summer.
As to prolonged droughts, the Commission said they raise wildfire risk due to low soil moisture, evidenced by the largest wildfire recorded in the EU the previous year.
According to the same source, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and droughts across several regions in the next decades.
The report also pointed out that the Mediterranean basin is anticipated to face a significant decline in precipitation levels.
“The situation is thus expected to continue to impact the region, highlighting the need for adaptation strategies to reduce the effects of the drought,” underscored the report.
To enhance community preparedness and resilience to these challenges, “investments in drought early warning systems, increasing the water efficiency of existing and new technologies, changing to more drought resistant crops and improving access to water resources are crucial,” suggested the same source.
However, the European Commission noted that managing droughts is complex, requiring a practical approach involving impact-based risk assessments informed by observed drought impacts.
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