Morocco experienced one of the lowest surface water levels in Africa in 2024, marking a critical point in its ongoing struggle with severe droughts, according to the Global Water Monitor’s 2024 report.
The report identified Morocco as the North African country with the smallest annual surface water extent, placing it among 15 nations with the lowest levels globally, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Burundi, Brazil, and Bolivia.
The findings highlight record-low water volumes in Morocco’s rivers and lakes, driven by rising temperatures and insufficient rainfall. These conditions have further exacerbated challenges in water management, particularly in agriculture, which accounts for the majority of water use in the country.
Morocco also recorded historically low vegetation health in 2024, as noted by satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data. The NDVI findings underscore the impact of water scarcity on agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability.
Omayma Khalil El Fenn, an expert in environmental engineering and hydraulics, has urged immediate action to address the effects of climate change on the country’s water resources.
The report also raised alarms about the future of food security in Morocco, as prolonged droughts and reduced rainfall continue to pose significant risks to agricultural production and the country’s ecosystems.