Foreign
Heavy Rainfalls Cause Flood in Sahara Desert For First Time in Decades
Heavy rainfall in the Sahara Desert has created large lakes amid sand dunes, drastically altering the barren landscape.
The region, known for its arid conditions, experienced floods for the first time in decades after intense rains hit southeast Morocco in September, CNN reports.
NASA data showed nearly 8 inches of rain in some areas, transforming the desert into a watery expanse.
Errachidia, a desert city in southeast Morocco, recorded almost 3 inches of rain, four times the area’s usual monthly average. Houssine Youabeb from Morocco’s meteorology agency stated, “It’s been 30 to 50 years since we’ve had this much rain in such a short space of time.”
The town of Merzouga witnessed the most dramatic changes, where new lakes were etched into the sand dunes. The palm trees’ reflections now shimmer across the newly formed lagoons. In Iriqui National Park, dry lakes were also filled due to the deluge.
While much of the rain fell in remote areas, some towns and villages were affected, leading to deadly floods that killed over a dozen people last month. Satellite images showed large portions of the northwest Sahara covered in greenery, a rare sight in the world’s largest non-polar desert.
Experts link the unusual rainfall to climate change, warning of more extreme weather in the Sahara as global temperatures rise due to fossil fuel pollution.
The floods offer a stark example of how human activity can disrupt natural cycles, with more rainstorms potentially altering the desert’s ecosystem in the future.
The Nigerian community in the United States has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Eric Ezeokoli, a student of California State University, Long Beach.
Ezeokoli, who was born on October 6, 1960, reportedly died on Friday, April 11, 2026, at Saint Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness.
Until his death, he was studying Engineering at the university, also known as Long Beach State University. Sources disclosed that he had previously lived in San Jose before relocating to the Los Angeles area.
Tragically, at the time of his passing, Ezeokoli was said to be homeless and living in his car, with no fixed address.
The deceased was originally from Anambra State, although details about his exact hometown remain unclear. There are indications he may have hailed from Aguata, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Efforts are currently underway to locate his family members and relatives in Nigeria. Members of the Nigerian community and concerned individuals are appealing to anyone with useful information about Ezeokoli’s background or family to come forward.
A contact person, Paul Kizito Eze, has been designated to receive information that could help trace the deceased’s relatives.
The appeal has also been extended to people from Anambra State, particularly those familiar with communities in Aguata, to assist in identifying and notifying the family.
The situation has sparked renewed concern over the welfare of some Nigerians living abroad, especially those facing hardship and isolation.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to reach out urgently to assist in reconnecting the late Ezeokoli with his family for proper burial arrangements.
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