Morocco has recorded significant water inflows into its dams following recent snowfall, while authorities intensify efforts to mitigate flood risks, Water and Equipment Minister Nizar Baraka said.
Speaking to members of parliament, Baraka said the country remains vulnerable to extreme weather patterns, alternating between drought and flooding.
Over the past ten days, some 482 million cubic meters of water have been added to dam reserves, driven by snowfall covering 55,000 square kilometers, bringing overall reservoir filling rates to around 34%, he said.
These volumes will meet cumulative needs in regions including Fès-Meknès, Souss-Massa, Béni Mellal-Khénifra and the Oriental, he noted.
Addressing recent floods in Safi, Baraka explained that the protective dam located nine kilometers from the city received only 200,000 cubic meters of water, far below its 3.5 million cubic meter capacity, as rainfall was concentrated within the urban area.
The ministry will launch a study to identify solutions and implement preventive measures, including new flood-protection structures for Safi, he said.
Early-warning systems have been reinforced nationwide, with alerts issued on December 8 and 9 for Safi and updates posted on the dedicated platform vigilance.marocmeteo.ma, he said.
Morocco also launched plans to revise Morocco’s outdated flood-risk atlas next year to better anticipate climate-related hazards, he said.
Between 2021 and 2025, 33 flood-protection projects were completed across provinces including Larache, Tanger, Tétouan, Nador, Meknès, Marrakech, and Taroudant, he said.
Fifteen additional projects are underway, and a new program will be launched through hydraulic basin agencies early next year, Baraka said.
