MERZOUGA (Morocco), Oct 28 — In Morocco’s south-eastern desert, a rare downpour has brought lakes and ponds back to life, with locals — and tourists — hailing it as a gift from the heavens.

In Merzouga, an attractive tourist town some 600 kilometres south-east of the capital Rabat, the once-parched golden dunes are now dotted with replenished ponds and lakes.