Rabat – Morocco’s dam fill rate recorded a noticeable improvement in mid-December, rising from 31.1% to 32.97% between December 12 and 18, with total water reserves exceeding 5.5 billion cubic meters, government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing following the weekly Government Council meeting, Baitas noted that the current fill rate remains higher than that recorded during the same period last year, when it stood at 28.7%.
He added that water inflows into dams between September 1 and December 18 reached 768 million cubic meters, including 346 million cubic meters registered over the past six days alone. Despite this recent increase, inflows still reflect a deficit of around 68% compared to the annual average.
Baitas also pointed to rainfall levels recorded during the same period, which reached 51 millimeters nationwide. This figure represents a deficit of approximately 27% compared to the seasonal average, though it marks a slight increase of 3% compared to the same period last year.
The improvement in water reserves comes as Morocco has experienced significant rainfall since last weekend, with some regions witnessing extreme weather conditions. In Safi, rainfall exceeded 60 millimeters within just three hours on Sunday, leading to local flooding and disruptions.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology has issued warnings of severe weather expected to affect several regions starting Wednesday. A red-level alert forecasts heavy snowfall ranging from 50 to 80 centimeters in mountainous areas above 1,800 meters, particularly in the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Khenifra, Midelt, Azilal, and Tinghir. Authorities expect these conditions to persist from midnight until midday on Wednesday.
The recent rainfall and snowfall forecasts highlight both the potential relief for Morocco’s strained water resources and the growing risks associated with extreme weather events across the country.
