Morocco has evacuated more than 100,000 people from four provinces after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several northern regions, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the ministry said authorities carried out phased evacuations from multiple municipalities based on risk assessments and expected damage, while arranging transport for affected residents and setting up emergency shelters and reception centres.
As of Wednesday morning, 108,423 people had been evacuated in total.
The worst-hit area was Larache province, where 81,709 people were evacuated, mainly from the city of Ksar el-Kebir. Another 14,133 people were evacuated in Kenitra province, 9,728 in Sidi Kacem province and 2,853 in Sidi Slimane province, according to official figures.
The Interior Ministry said heavy rainfall in recent days caused flooding in several locations, prompting ongoing evacuation, rescue and assistance operations aimed at reducing the impact of the disaster and ensuring public safety.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Water Ministry said flash floods were recorded on the outskirts of Guercif in eastern Morocco after water levels rose in Mason Valley.
Authorities also reported disruptions to major roads in multiple provinces, including routes linking Tangier and Tetouan, as well as roads in Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane.
On Tuesday, Ksar el-Kebir Mayor Mohammed Al-Simo said officials had decided to evacuate the entire city overnight as a precaution, citing water and power outages and the need to prevent casualties. Local media put the city’s population at around 120,000.
The floods in Morocco come as extreme weather events linked to heavy rainfall have affected multiple regions around the world in recent weeks, with floods reported across parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Climate scientists say warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the risk of intense downpours and flash flooding, particularly in vulnerable urban and river-basin areas.
Morocco’s meteorological service had warned on Monday that a low-pressure system would bring heavy rainfall of up to 150 millimetres in several regions.
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