Audio By Carbonatix
Morocco urged residents of flood‑prone areas in the country's northwestern plains to leave immediately on Wednesday, amid rising threats of inundation from heavy rain, swollen rivers and the release of more water from full dams.
The number evacuated by authorities reached 108,432, the Interior Ministry said.
Helicopters were deployed in rescue operations as rising waters inundated fields and villages across the northwest. The army has been deployed since Friday to support evacuations amid a red alert for further heavy rainfall this week.
Northwestern Morocco, known as the Gharb region, is a key wheat-producing region made of low‑lying plains that drain poorly after weeks of heavy rain and due to lack of slope.
Rainfall in Morocco is up 215% from last year and 54% above the historical average, official data showed.
Evacuations were ordered in parts of the Larache province, including the city of Ksar El Kebir, Souaken, Ouled Ouchih, the Larache industrial zone and areas near the banks of the Loukous river, as a precaution against further flooding, the Interior Ministry said.
Most evacuations took place in Ksar El Kebir, where authorities said 85% of the population had already left. State TV showed those who were moved being provided shelter and food in camps.
Ksar El Kebir has been largely deserted, with many neighbourhoods submerged after the Loukous river burst its banks last week.
Officials are particularly concerned about the Oued Makhazine dam near Ksar El Kebir, which is operating at 146% capacity after weeks of heavy rain, raising pressure to release more water downstream, according to a statement by the water ministry.
Residents said electricity had been cut in parts of Ksar El Kebir.
Rights groups have called on the government to declare the affected areas "disaster‑stricken," which would allow residents to access insurance coverage for flood damage.
The exceptional rainfall has ended a seven‑year drought that had pushed Morocco to accelerate investments in desalination.
The national dam‑filling rate has risen to nearly 62% from 27% a year earlier, with several large dams being partially emptied to absorb new inflows.
Latest Stories
-
GUTA welcomes no new taxes plan ahead of 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review
8 minutes -
KNUST Pharmacy Dean warns against rising self-medication and drug abuse in Ghana
11 minutes -
ASA champions talent development in tennis
18 minutes -
BoG defends decision to hold policy rate at 14% amid global uncertainties
24 minutes -
Duty rationalisation, manufacturing support top GUTA’s expectations ahead of Mid-Year Budget
28 minutes -
Bawumia pays tribute to late Ya-Na, receives Dagbon chiefs
30 minutes -
Fire guts fashion training centre at Kumasi Top High, destroys materials worth thousands of cedis
32 minutes -
High Court clears way for NDC to enforce six-month resignation rule
34 minutes -
OgeeTheMC bags ‘Best MC’ nomination at 2026 AFRIMA
45 minutes -
25 rescued after bus crashes on Peki–Anyensu road
46 minutes -
Amnesty International urges Ghana to pass Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill six years after Akua Denteh’s death
52 minutes -
NDC suspends Awutu Senya East Chairman for five months
59 minutes -
Trump signs Saudi nuclear pact without Israel normalisation requirement
1 hour -
Government gives institutions until Nov. 2, 2026 to stop photocopying Ghana Cards
1 hour -
High Court dismisses application to strike out entire Hanan charge sheet; orders amendment of charges 9 and 14
1 hour