Eleven people have died, and nine remain missing after severe flooding hit various regions of Morocco over the weekend, Moroccan authorities confirmed on Sunday. Heavy rains triggered the floods, which primarily affected the southern regions of Tata and Tiznit, as well as Errachidia in the east. The storm left widespread damage in its wake.
Morocco’s Ministry of Interior spokesperson, Rachid El Khalfi, reported that Tata suffered the highest death toll with seven fatalities, followed by Tiznit and Errachidia, which registered two deaths each. Among the victims in Errachidia was a foreign national. The floods were described as an “exceptional climate phenomenon” by the authorities, who are still conducting search and rescue operations for the nine individuals who remain missing.
The flooding caused significant infrastructure damage, with homes destroyed and roads cut off, leaving residents trapped in their homes. Emergency teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas to assist in rescue efforts and to help manage the damage caused by the floodwaters. Local authorities have established shelters for displaced residents, and relief efforts are ongoing to provide aid to the affected communities.
The Moroccan government has issued warnings about the possibility of continued rainfall and further flooding in the coming days, urging residents to avoid areas that are prone to flooding. The severity of the storm has prompted officials to call for a review of the country’s flood preparedness measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
This event comes on the heels of a prolonged drought that recently plagued the region, underscoring Morocco’s vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather conditions. Officials have pledged ongoing support for relief and recovery efforts as the search for the missing continues.