The Sahara flooded for the first time in half a century: what does this mean and what are the consequences?
The flooding in the Sahara is a clear indication that the planet's climate is changing, and these changes can affect even the driest and most unchanging regions. Find out what meteorologists are saying about this and whether to expect such events in the future
The Saharan floods were one of the most surprising natural anomalies of 2024. The desert, known for its hot and dry conditions, faced a phenomenon that had not been seen for several decades - heavy rains that lasted for two days. This event raises a lot of questions about global climate change and its implications for the planet.
The Sahara is the hottest desert in the world, stretching across 11 countries in northern, central and western Africa.
Locals recall that it has been 30 to 50 years since the desert has seen so much rain in such a short period of time.
How significant has the rain been in the Sahara?
In Taghounit, a village about 450 kilometres south of the capital Rabat, more than 100 millimetres of rain was recorded in a 24-hour period.
Meteorologists call such a rare anomaly an extratropical cyclone. Morocco's Meteorological Agency told the Associated Press that as the air contains more moisture, it promotes evaporation and provokes even more rainfall.
According to NASA satellite imagery, the bottom of the lake between the town of Zagora and the city of Tata, which had been dry for 50 years, has filled with water.
What does this mean?
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), hydrological cycles around the world have become more frequent. The cycle has accelerated due to rising temperatures.
In addition, experts say, the climate cycle has become more chaotic and unpredictable, and we are facing growing problems of too much or too little water.
Scientists predict that due to global warming, similar rains may occur in the Sahara in the future.
The Saharan floods are one of the many indications that the climate on our planet is becoming less and less predictable. While global climate models used to be able to identify risk zones based on rainfall, now even deserts such as the Sahara are becoming prone to flooding. This confirms the hypothesis that extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rainfall are becoming more common around the world.
Don't want to miss important updates and useful materials? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
How will flooding affect the Saharan ecosystem?
Flooding in the Sahara will have both short- and long-term effects on the local ecosystem. The desert, which is used to extremely low rainfall, will face dramatic changes in soil composition and flora.
In particular, the water is likely to bring temporary moisture, which can stimulate plant growth in areas that would normally be completely devoid of vegetation. Water resources could temporarily improve the lives of local animals and vegetation.
At the same time, landslides and destruction of the natural desert landscape are possible in the region, which could disrupt the usual migration routes of animals.
Autumn cataclysm
The floods in 2024 affected not only the Sahara. The disaster also caused many problems in Europe. For example, in the eastern part of the EU, countries have recently faced extremely heavy rainfall, which has led to flooding. As a result, transport infrastructure and other important facilities, including bridges and dams, were disrupted for some time in Poland, Hungary, Romania and parts of Slovakia.
We should also mention the recent Hurricane Milton in the United States, which was one of the most powerful in recent years. Although hurricanes are nothing new for the East Coast of America, Milton still caused a lot of disaster for the local population, some of whom were left without electricity for a long time.
It should be noted that when faced with natural disasters, it is important to think about insurance coverage. Medical insurance with accident coverage can be an important help to you. Such insurance covers the costs of medical care in case of injuries, as well as emergency services, including hospitalisation and emergency care.
Ukrainians living abroad can quickly apply for an insurance policy. You can order health insurance online on the Visit Ukraine website.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2024, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.