Moroccan Minister Warns of ‘Alarming’ Situation Due to Water Scarcity, Drought

A dry field is pictured near Marrakech, Morocco February 12, 2022. (Reuters)
A dry field is pictured near Marrakech, Morocco February 12, 2022. (Reuters)
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Moroccan Minister Warns of ‘Alarming’ Situation Due to Water Scarcity, Drought

A dry field is pictured near Marrakech, Morocco February 12, 2022. (Reuters)
A dry field is pictured near Marrakech, Morocco February 12, 2022. (Reuters)

Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka warned that the water situation in the kingdom is “alarming” and that it is likely to endure drought this year.

Speaking at parliament on Monday, he said agricultural production will consequently be “below average” this year.

He added that the sharp drop in rainfall since 2018 has decreased the levels of water in the kingdom’s dams to 33.7%.

The kingdom's dam reservoirs are currently holding 5.44 million cubic meters of water.

Rising temperatures have also contributed to water evaporation, proving another source of water scarcity.

Baraka also noted challenges resulting from the war in Ukraine, revealing that Morocco only has a four-month reserve of grains.

The prices of construction materials also increased, which raised the cost of equipment and building dams.

In order to ensure water security in Morocco, Baraka said the government has focused on four steps: increasing the pace of dam construction, desalinating seawater, developing coastal areas with local water and using dam water for internal regions.

Moreover, he stated that the construction process of 16 dams has kicked off.

The government is expected to build 20 dams by 2027.

Baraka noted the implementation of a plan to desalinate 300 million cubic meters of water in Casablanca, revealing that 20 similar projects are expected to be carried out.

As for wastewater treatment, he said Morocco can treat up to 70 million cubic meters, with the aim to raise it to 700 million cubic meters.

He called for developing a policy to address violations, such as the random drilling of wells and water theft.



Lebanese Red Cross Will Try Again to Remove Bodies from Israeli Strike Site

A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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Lebanese Red Cross Will Try Again to Remove Bodies from Israeli Strike Site

A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

The Lebanese Red Cross will send another convoy Tuesday to Wata al-Khiam in southern Lebanon to search for and remove the bodies of 15 people killed in an Israeli airstrike, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said.

Paramedics accessed the site of the strike two days prior and removed five other bodies, but needed to return with larger vehicles to remove the rubble.

The NNA said the deployment is in coordination with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, which is the usual procedure.

The Red Cross did not immediately comment on the news, but expressed concern in recent weeks over several instances where Israel has struck in or close to areas where they have deployed paramedics to search for wounded people and casualties.

The Israeli military said it issued warnings to the residents there in late October to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah militant targets, and told ambulances to avoid the area.