004. Morocco’s Water Highway – A River Rerouted, A Nation Rehydrated
Geography, Climate Change, International Projects, Environment
By IAS Monk / April 1, 2025
Morocco’s sky has been silent for six years. The earth cracked, the rivers shrank—and a nation turned inward to find new veins for its survival.
Enter the “Water Highway” —a $728 million project rerouting surplus water from the Sebou River to Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco’s two largest cities.
As of March 2025, this grand artery has already pumped over 700 million cubic metres of water through a 67-km underground canal, offering short-term relief to a long-parched population.
💧 What is the “Water Highway”?
- 🚰 Diverts surplus from Sebou River
- 🧪 Water is treated & delivered via a 67 km canal
- 🏙️ Targets drinking water for Rabat & Casablanca
- 💵 Project Cost: Approx. $728 million
- 📦 As of March 2025: 700+ million m³ delivered
🌍 Morocco’s Water Crisis – A Snapshot
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Drought Duration | 6 years continuous |
| Historical Supply | 18 billion m³ (1980s) |
| Current Supply | 5 billion m³ |
| Rainfall Pattern | 53% rain in only 7% land area |
| Workforce in Agriculture | Nearly 1/3 of population |
🌡️ Climate Change – Thirst in the Air
- ☀️ Higher temperatures = Increased evaporation
- 🌧️ Lower rainfall predicted in northern basins
- 💡 Today’s surplus may become tomorrow’s scarcity
🌾 Agriculture – The Thirsty Sector
- Morocco’s economy leans heavily on farming
- 🚜 Irrigation demand remains high
- Experts urge water-efficient irrigation and smart practices
🧭 Looking Forward
- The highway quenches today’s need—but what of tomorrow?
- Desalination, recycling, and ecosystem conservation are vital to future sustainability
- 🇲🇦 Morocco stands as a case study in climate adaptation under duress
📚 Relevance for UPSC
- GS1: Geography – Climate Patterns, River Basins
- GS3: Environmental Engineering, Disaster Preparedness
- Essay: “A canal dug through stone often begins in silence.”
✨ Closing Whisper
“This highway carries not just water—but the future of a people carved from thirst.”
🔥 A Thought Spark – by IAS Monk
When rivers are rerouted, so is destiny.
Morocco’s bold move is more than a pipeline—it is a meditation on survival, on the power of will against the whims of weather.
In every drop that flows, the nation whispers, “we will not dry in silence.”
