At a time when the Kingdom had barely absorbed the effects of the previous atmospheric depression named "Leonardo," a new name returned to the forefront of the climate scene, "Marta," a deep Atlantic depression coming from the ocean, carried by a series of atmospheric disturbances that have marked this winter with unusual intensity, amid expert warnings between the importance of the rains that bring life back to dams and water basins, and the risks of local floods that require the utmost vigilance.
"Marta" depression is considered a deep Atlantic atmospheric disturbance that forms in the North Atlantic within the series of winter depressions moving eastward towards Western Europe and North Africa. It carries cold and moisture-laden air masses that usually cause rains of varying intensity, active winds, and sea disturbance.
For Morocco, the impact of this depression is mainly reflected in enhancing the chances of rainfall in the northern and northwestern regions, raising the levels of wadis and water reservoirs, with the possibility of recording local floods in sensitive basins due to soil saturation and continued surface runoff, especially in areas close to the Loukkos and Sebou basins and areas downstream of major dams, where the situation requires careful management of water reserves and ensuring the safety of the population in light of the succession of atmospheric disturbances.
Climate and sustainable development expert Mohamed Benabou was among the first to warn of the features of this phase, pointing out that the succession of Atlantic depressions in a short period is an indicator of a state of extended atmospheric instability, where successive disturbances form over the North Atlantic and gradually head towards Western Europe and North Africa. He explained that these humid and strong air masses do not come in isolation, but rather as part of a complex seasonal climate system, making their impact cumulative rather than circumstantial.
Benabou warned that the anticipated storm could cause severe atmospheric disturbances due to the succession of Atlantic depressions and the high humidity in the atmosphere. He pointed out that the seriousness of the situation lies not only in the intensity of the rainfall but also in the fact that the soil has become saturated with water after weeks of continuous rain, which doubles the likelihood of localized floods and landslides in some low-lying areas or near watercourses. He also confirmed that this climatic context necessitates a high degree of vigilance, as any additional rainfall, even if within the normal range, could be sufficient to cause field imbalances due to water accumulation and rising river levels.
As the new depression, named "Marta," approaches, the picture becomes clearer. After the passage of "Leonardo," which left significant rainfall and a brief period of relative stability of only a few hours, the Kingdom has once again entered the influence of a new Atlantic depression centered in the depths of the ocean and extending north and west towards the Moroccan coast. This depression, according to Benabou, is part of the North Atlantic winter series, a known climatic pattern, but it appears to be more intense and frequent this year than usual.
The country has already experienced a short period of calm, interspersed with light and scattered rain. However, this stability was merely a transitional phase before the arrival of a new air mass, saturated with moisture, poised to bring unstable weather back to the forefront. The impact of "Marta" is expected to be more pronounced in the northern and northwestern regions, where Atlantic influences converge with mountainous terrain, enhancing the intensity of rainfall.
In his reading of the developments, Benabou stressed in his interview with "Al-Sahifa" that the rains the Kingdom has experienced in recent weeks have had a clear positive impact on water resources, especially in the Rif Mountains and northern regions, which have received significant quantities that have contributed to raising the reserves of a number of dams. However, this water dynamic, despite its necessity in light of years of drought and water stress, presents complex technical challenges related to managing inflows and controlling flow rates.
As the expert explains, precipitation is not distributed evenly across the national territory, and some areas benefit greatly from the rains, while other areas remain less fortunate, which creates a clear disparity between water basins.
In this context, areas such as Taounate and Chefchaouen emerge as examples of spaces that receive significant amounts of water in short periods, which necessitates precise management of each basin separately, instead of adopting a unified general approach.
The areas below the Al-Wahda Dam are at the forefront of the most sensitive points at this stage, where a noticeable rise in the water level has been recorded after the recent rainfall. These areas, which play a crucial role in protecting neighboring cities from floods, are living at a high alert level, as controlled amounts of water are being discharged according to precise technical protocols, to achieve a balance between preserving water reserves and ensuring the safety of the population.
Benabou warns that continued rainfall, coupled with soil saturation, could lead to a sudden increase in river flow, increasing the likelihood of localized floods in some sensitive hydrological points. While these floods are not always widespread, they can be rapid and sudden, especially in areas close to watercourses or located in natural depressions.
Regarding the intensity of the "Marta" low, initial forecasts indicated the possibility of rainfall reaching around 50 mm, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. However, updated meteorological data, as confirmed by the expert, suggest that this low will likely not be more severe than "Leonardo," and that the expected wind speeds and rainfall amounts may be less than initially feared, while caution remains necessary in areas historically prone to flooding.
Benabou explains that naming atmospheric lows with names like "Marta" is not arbitrary, but rather follows a common European system involving several countries, including Spain, Portugal, France, and Luxembourg. This system uses standardized names for Atlantic disturbances that could have a direct impact on lives and property, aiming to facilitate communication between meteorological services and relevant authorities, and enhance the effectiveness of early warning systems.
The focus at this stage is on the Loukkos and Sebou basins, as they are among the areas most vulnerable to water level fluctuations during periods of heavy rainfall. These basins, which have experienced similar events in previous years, represent a delicate balance between benefiting from water and avoiding its dangers. Their filling contributes to improving the national water situation in the medium term, but at the same time, it increases the level of threat if it coincides with additional rainfall or an emergency discharge of reservoirs.
En el trasfondo de esta escena, diversos organismos se mueven en el marco de una movilización proactiva y una vigilancia continua, que incluye a las autoridades locales, los servicios de protección civil y las Fuerzas Armadas Reales para garantizar una intervención rápida en caso de cualquier evolución imprevista. Benabou subraya que esta preparación sigue siendo esencial en un contexto climático caracterizado por la creciente intensidad de fenómenos extremos, donde las tormentas atlánticas ya no son meros eventos estacionales pasajeros, sino que se han convertido en parte de un patrón climático más complejo y recurrente.
