Moroccan authorities have evacuated more than 108,000 people across several northern provinces as rising river levels and heavy rainfall increase the risk of severe flooding, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
The evacuations follow days of efforts by authorities and army rescue units involving the mobilization of buses, boats and trucks and the setting up of camps to shelter and provide food and medical services to people who left their homes due to floods.
Red weather alerts signaled exceptional rainfall and a sharp rise in water levels in rivers and drainage basins across the region.
As of Wednesday morning, a total of 108,423 people had been moved to safety, the interior ministry spokesman said.
The province of Larache accounted for the largest share, with 81,709 people evacuated, particularly from the city of Ksar El Kebir, where most people left their homes either through organized evacuations or on their own.
In addition, 14,133 people were evacuated from Kenitra, 9,728 from Sidi Kacem, and 2,853 from Sidi Slimane, according to the interior ministry
The ministry warned that some areas could receive up to 150 mm of rain in a short period, raising the threat of sudden and exceptional water inflows, particularly at the Oued Makhazine dam, which has reached a record storage level and is under significant pressure.
The dam is now 146% full and braces for more releases which could affect river levels.
In response, officials issued an urgent call for residents in high-risk zones of the Larache province, including Ksar El Kebir, Souaken, Ouled Ouchih, the Larache industrial zone and areas near the Loukous river estuary, to comply immediately with evacuation orders.
