Spectre of drought threatens Algeria

25/02/2008

As months pass without rainfall in Algeria, farmers are facing a critical water crisis. The Algerian government is taking steps to counter the threat of drought by planning dams and pumping stations for irrigation water and opening Africa’s largest desalination plant.

By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia – 25/02/08

[Getty Images] Algerian authorities have proposed building dams and pumping stations to deal with the possibility of severe drought. The Ministry for Religious Affairs has also called up all imams to pray for rain.

The low rainfall recorded in Algeria this winter is causing people to fear the worst. With February likely to be another dry month, the spectre of drought hangs ominously over the country. Experts say that if there is no rain over the coming weeks, the growing season could be in jeopardy.

The national meteorological office (ONM) confirms that Algeria is facing a critical water situation. Between September 1st and November 20th, wilayas in the centre of the country saw only half of the usual rainfall. The situation is even worse in the western regions of the country, where only 29 mm was recorded during the same period, compared with the usual 71 mm.

"If it rains in one or two weeks, the situation can still be rescued, but otherwise drought control measures will have to be put in place," said an official from the agriculture ministry.

Another official was more optimistic. During a recent visit to the Mitidja plain region, known for its orchards and farmland, Water Resources Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said, "It’s true: we’re at a lower level than would be the average situation, but there’s no need to worry because Algeria’s reservoirs are still 48.28% full, when at the same time last year they stood at 48.8%. And we have sufficient reserves to cope with this situation."

Since the water in the reservoirs is for drinking, not farming, the success of the agricultural sector depends entirely on the quantity of rainfall received during the growing season. To make up for this year’s considerable shortfall and safeguard harvests in the Mitidja, the minister has ordered that waste water be treated for crop irrigation purposes.

Sellal also announced plans to use water from the Oued Djer to irrigate 24,000 hectares on the Mitidja plain. Once an overflow dam and pumping station are built, water can be collected for agriculture instead of flowing out into the sea.

This solution will be rolled out to other farming regions across the country. It could bring new hope to farmers who fear their harvests will be utterly compromised.

Meanwhile, as the drought threat continues to loom over Algeria, the Minister for Religious Affairs issued an appeal last Thursday for all imams to lead the Istissqa prayer set out in the Qur’an to send rain. Thousands of Algerians who fulfilled the ritual last week now wait desperately for the skies to show some mercy.

In related news, Africa’s largest desalination plant was opened Sunday (February 24th) in Algiers by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The $250m El Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant was developed by Algerian Energy in partnership with GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company. The plant will provide enough water for as many as 2 million residents in the Algiers area.

The Algerian government plans to construct 14 water desalination stations before 2011 to reduce water shortages and meet future demand, El Khabar reported.