Morocco Floods: 150,000 Evacuated Amidst Rising Waters

Morocco is grappling with severe flooding after torrential rains battered its northern provinces, necessitating the evacuation of over 150,000 residents in the past week. The deluge has claimed four lives, including a two-year-old child, with authorities confirming one person is still missing as of Sunday. Many sought refuge on rooftops before being rescued by boat or helicopter.

A large tent city has been erected near Kenitra, approximately 50 kilometers north of Rabat, providing shelter for nearly 40,000 evacuees. Residents, like Kasia El Selami and Ali Al Aouni, describe immense fear and anxiety, particularly for their children, as they endure the cold and uncertain conditions in the temporary camp.

Civil defense efforts are providing essential supplies such as mattresses, clothing, and food, alongside crucial health and veterinary services for livestock. While the immediate crisis subsides, displaced families express a strong desire to return to their homes as soon as possible, hoping the ordeal ends swiftly.

This recent disaster follows a deadly flood event in Safi last December, which killed 37 people, marking Morocco's deadliest weather-related incident in a decade. Neighboring countries like Algeria and Tunisia have also experienced severe weather, with multiple fatalities reported.