Morocco’s national dams have seen a concerning drop in water levels recently, losing 0.13% of their total volume in just four days, amid an ongoing water crisis that has gripped the Kingdom for years.
Official data from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, published on July 23, reveals that dam fill rates have reached a mere 29.14%. This translates to 4.697 billion cubic meters, a a 29.91% decrease compared to the fill rate recorded at the same time last year.
While national dams face declining levels, the Oum Er Rbia basin has experienced a 0.6% increase in water levels over the past four days, reaching a fill rate of 4.95%.
Water and environmental experts view this as a positive sign, indicating a potential improvement in the water situation for this specific basin.
The Loukkos basin boasts the highest national fill rate at 56.97%, followed by the Sebou basin (46.54%), the Tensift basin (45.78%), and the Bouregreg-Chaouia basin (31.86%).
The remaining basins have fill rates below 30%, including the Ziz Guerhis (25.22%), Moulouya (21.74%), Drâa-Oued Noun (12.88%), and Souss-Massa (12.33%).
Lahcen Rabeh, a geological researcher specializing in water resources, emphasizes the critical role national dams play in meeting the water needs of both the population and economic activities.
Hespress contacted an official from one of the national water basins for an official statement. The official, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the government’s obligation to take immediate and urgent action through relevant sectors.
These measures aim to address the crisis and prevent future occurrences. Priorities include implementing programs for dam maintenance and sustainable management, alongside raising public awareness about the importance of water conservation.
The official further highlighted King Mohammed VI’s repeated directives to the government and all relevant sectors, which emphasize the urgency of taking action to address the nationwide water crisis.
The official stressed that these measures are not simply optional, but rather a pressing necessity to ensure Morocco’s future water security. The official emphasized the potential for catastrophic scenarios if urgent action isn’t taken, including water scarcity with severe economic and social consequences.
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