Morocco has undertaken a massive evacuation operation, relocating more than 143,000 people from their homes in the country's northwestern regions. This emergency response was triggered by severe flooding caused by a combination of torrential rainfall and controlled water releases from dams that had reached maximum capacity.
Widespread Evacuations and Emergency Measures
The Interior Ministry confirmed on Thursday that 143,164 individuals have been evacuated from affected areas. Authorities issued urgent directives for immediate departure from flood-prone zones and mobilized the army to assist in evacuating residents from the hardest-hit towns. Temporary shelters have been established to accommodate those displaced.
In the town of Ksar El Kebir, known for its sugar production, officials reported that up to 85% of the population had been evacuated, leaving the area nearly deserted. Schools and universities across the region have been closed indefinitely as the crisis unfolds.
Damaging Impacts and Infrastructure Disruption
The flooding has resulted from rising water levels in rivers such as the Loukkous, exacerbated by water releases from overfilled dams. Visual evidence from witnesses, including videos provided to The Associated Press, shows significant damage including homes destroyed by landslides in the northern rural town of Bni Zid. Other footage depicts bulldozers clearing debris to restore access to isolated communities.
Local media reports indicate that rising water levels in the Sebou River have forced partial road closures, flooded neighborhoods, and halted train services, further complicating transportation and emergency response efforts.
Climate Context and Water Management Challenges
These heavy rains arrive after seven years of drought in Morocco, initially bringing relief by ending the dry spell and securing at least a year of drinking water through filled reservoirs. However, the precipitation has also overfilled some dams and damaged agricultural crops including avocados, potatoes, and olives.
Morocco's water ministry has initiated controlled releases from dams nearing maximum capacity. Notably, the Oued Al Makhazine dam near Ksar El Kebir has discharged more than 372 million cubic meters of water. This dam, with a capacity exceeding 672.8 million cubic meters, had surpassed that level by approximately 46%.
Exceptional Weather Patterns and Future Concerns
Morocco has recorded 150 millimeters of rainfall in the last six months, surpassing the country's average annual level by 32.5%. The national meteorology directorate has described these climate conditions as exceptional and issued a red alert for upcoming heavy rainfall.
Residents express ongoing concerns about the situation. Mohamed El Hachimi, a Ksar El Kebir resident who evacuated to stay with family elsewhere, told the AP that almost everyone left, with those without relatives seeking refuge in official shelters. He added, The fear now is from the dam, which has surpassed its maximum capacity ... and the rain is still pouring heavily.
The stormy weather has also disrupted maritime traffic between Morocco and Spain, affecting port operations and delaying shipments. This multifaceted crisis highlights the complex balance between water resource management and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather events.
