Morocco has officially emerged from a seven-year drought following a significant improvement in rainfall and snowfall, which has positively impacted water supplies and dam reserves across the country, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said on Monday in Rabat.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the House of Representatives, Baraka stated that Morocco recorded 108 millimeters of rainfall between September 1 and January 12, representing an increase of 95% compared with the same period last year and 17.6% above the historical average. He explained that these figures confirm the end of the drought, noting that a drought year is defined by rainfall levels falling more than 20% below the average, while the current season has instead recorded a positive surplus.
In addition to rainfall, the minister highlighted exceptional snowfall during the period, which at its peak covered approximately 55,495 square kilometers before declining to around 25,000 square kilometers. Snow depth ranged between one and two meters in mountainous areas located at elevations above 2,500 meters, further contributing to the replenishment of water resources.
As a result, dam fill rates have improved significantly, rising from 28% during the same period last year to 46% currently. This corresponds to water reserves of around 7.7 billion cubic meters. Baraka added that water inflows recorded between September 1, 2025, and January 12, 2026, reached 3.5 billion cubic meters, with 3.1 billion cubic meters recorded in the last month alone.
The positive impact was also reflected across several water basins, where multiple dams reached filling rates of between 80% and 100%. The minister cited dams in the Loukkos basin, including Oued El Makhazine, Charif Al Idrissi, Nakhla, Chefchaouen, and Ibn Battouta, as well as Allal El Fassi, Bab Louta, and Bouhouda in the Sebou basin.
Regarding the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam in the Bouregreg basin, Baraka said the reservoir reached a fill rate of 92%, prompting authorities to release water to prevent exceeding capacity. Improvements were also observed in other basins, including Oum Er-rabia, Tensift, Souss-Massa, and Moulouya. In the Ziz-Rhéris basin, the Hassan Addakhil dam recorded a fill rate of 71.5%. Additionally, 37 small dams exceeded 100% capacity, making controlled water releases necessary.
According to the minister, the current water reserves are sufficient to provide an average of one year’s worth of drinking water at the national level, describing this as a positive indicator that offers additional flexibility in water management.
Baraka nevertheless stressed that the government continues to pursue long-term solutions, particularly through its desalination strategy. He pointed to the launch of new desalination plants in Nador, Driouch, and Tangier, alongside plans to commission additional facilities next year in Souss-Massa, Tiznit, Guelmim, Tan-Tan, and Rabat.
The minister also reaffirmed ongoing efforts, in line with the High Royal Guidelines, to complete inter-basin water transfer projects, known as the “water highway.” These projects aim to link water basins stretching from Oued Laou and Loukkos to Oum Er-rabia, with work set to begin this year on connecting the Sebou basin to the Bouregreg and Oum Er-rabia basins.
Despite the marked improvement, authorities continue to emphasize the need for prudent water management as Morocco adapts to increasing climate variability.
