Ksar el-Kebir, Morocco – More than 50,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes in Ksar el-Kebir, located about 190 kilometres north of Rabat, following severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall across several provinces.
Mass Evacuations and Relief Efforts
According to the Interior Ministry, evacuees have been taken in by relatives or housed in temporary shelters established by authorities. The Moroccan army has been deployed to support relief operations under the instructions of King Mohammed VI, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
Rising Waters and Safety Measures
Floodwaters from the Loukkos River have inundated multiple neighbourhoods, prompting officials to ban entry into the town. Electricity has been cut in parts of Ksar el-Kebir, while schools have been ordered to remain closed until Saturday.
Officials noted that the flooding was partly exacerbated by water released from a nearby dam that had reached full capacity.
End of a Prolonged Drought
The heavy rainfall, while destructive, has also marked the end of a seven-year drought that had forced Morocco to invest heavily in desalination plants to secure water supplies.
Weather Forecast
The national weather service has warned that adverse conditions will persist, forecasting heavy rains, strong winds, and snowfall at altitudes above 1,500 metres until Wednesday.
Conclusion
The floods in Ksar el-Kebir highlight the dual challenges Morocco faces in managing extreme weather: balancing relief efforts for affected communities while leveraging rainfall to replenish water resources after years of drought. As authorities continue to respond, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and restoring stability in the region.
