Bathers sit on stone slabs under mosaic tiles, lather with traditional black soap ,and wash with scalding water from plastic buckets. The interior minister ordered hammams in cities including Casablanca, Tangier, and Beni Mellal, to remain closed for at least three days a week as part of water restrictions. "We suggest that hammams should not be closed three days a week, but rather that they be closed daily in the morning and open from midday to 9pm. As the country continues to bake, the low rainfall and hotter temperatures have seen water levels in Morocco's largest dams drop alarmingly, frightening farmers and local municipalities. Morocco experienced record heat this winter with January the hottest month since measurements began in 1940.
