Flash Floods in Morocco: Devastation and Loss After Torrential Rains

Pioneers of the social media platform have communicated the devastation and material and human loss impacts of flash floods in Morocco after torrential rains killed 11 people and destroyed infrastructure.

Weather Warnings and Heavy Rainfall

On Friday, Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology warned of “very strong” thunderstorms of up to 150 mm of rain in several regions of the Kingdom.

As a result, several regions were affected by weather fluctuations, especially in the High Atlas Mountains, as the south-eastern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate received heavy rainfall of 47 mm and reached 170 mm in Zagora province, not far from the border with Algeria.

Local authorities said the rainfall recorded in the last two days represented half of the region’s annual rainfall and sometimes exceeded it.

Human and Material Losses

Morocco’s Interior Ministry announced that 11 deaths had been recorded, in addition to the collapse of 40 houses, including 24 complete ones, and 93 roads damaged, in addition to damage to water, electricity, and communication networks.

The Ministry confirmed that its efforts are continuing to break the isolation of the affected areas and to re-open the road communication network, electricity supply network, potable water, and communication services.

Fear and Demand

Video clips circulated on social media of rescue efforts, and the intervention of aid forces to evacuate flooded families from their homes.

Moroccan citizens expressed their concerns and demands on social media, with Muhammad warning against a repeat of the flood situation in Libya, “O God, I will save you, the events of Derna in Libya will not be repeated.”

“This is due to weak infrastructure. When will these earthquake-hit remote areas be looked after? And now there are floods. They are back to aggravate the crisis,” he said, appealing to the competent authorities for the need for infrastructure rehabilitation in the remote areas of Salim.

Dina said, “Oh, kind people… Let us take a lesson from the countries around us that have been affected by floods… We must not allow a disaster to happen, God forbid, and God save everyone.”

Abdel Samad urged the need to take advantage of the heavy rains and dispose of them well, saying, “God save Morocco… The rains are very important, but they must be managed rationally, otherwise they will lead to losses. A disaster.”

Water Shortage and Dam Filling

Noting that the rains in the provinces of Rachidiya and Tingir filled 4 dams with 20 million cubic meters of water, Morocco has been suffering from a water shortage for 6 years, according to the Ministry of Local Equipment and Water.