As summer approaches and temperatures are expected to soar to record highs, Morocco is once again facing the specter of water scarcity and wildfires.
Amidst the Eid al-Adha festivities that have captured the attention of Moroccan households, discussions surrounding water scarcity, drought, and the looming threat of wildfires have taken a backseat.
Despite this, the country has announced plans to combat these risks, particularly in areas identified as being most vulnerable during the impending summer months.
Abdelrahim Handouf, an expert in water resources and climate change, told Hespress Ar that rising summer temperatures in Morocco are “a natural phenomenon” due to the country’s Mediterranean climate, characterized by heat and a lack of rainfall during the summer season.
Handouf said that human behavior and natural factors play a crucial role in fueling wildfires during Morocco’s summers, given the country’s abundance of flammable vegetation.
The expert said that there is a need for heightened awareness, caution, and necessary preventive measures to avoid a repeat of the devastating fires that ravaged hundreds of hectares of forests in the north of the country two years ago.
Turning to the issue of water scarcity, Handouf said that water resources in the region are limited, noting Morocco’s long-standing familiarity with drought.
However, the expert warns that climate change is exacerbating the situation, leading to a decline in water resources.
Morocco faces a complex challenge, as “water needs are increasing due to population growth while water resources are diminishing.”
Desalination of seawater emerges as a potential solution to Morocco’s water woes, according to Handouf. He said that It’s important to reuse water through treatment and investment, emphasizing its value as a resource rich in organic matter that can be used in agriculture and irrigation of green spaces.
Handouf advocates for a paradigm shift in Morocco’s agricultural practices and human behavior towards water conservation.
He further added that water is a precious resource that requires careful management. “If we do not conserve it, we will face serious crises in the future,” he warned.
Echoing Handouf’s concerns, environmental and climate expert Mohamed Benabbou points to global projections indicating that Morocco, due to its geographical location, is headed towards experiencing record summer temperatures in several regions.
Benabbou said that, coupled with the anticipated exceptional heatwaves, the country is likely to witness wildfires similar to those of previous years.
The climate expert attributes the delayed rainfall to the emergence and growth of “secondary vegetation” which, alongside human factors, will serve as primary triggers for wildfires that annually cause the loss of thousands of hectares of forests.
Despite these challenges, Benabbou assures that Morocco is well-prepared to tackle potential wildfires. The country has identified threatened areas, bolstered its firefighting fleet with 15 specialized “Canadair” aircraft, and reinforced firefighting crews with logistics and contingency plans.
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