Al Haouz: More than 23,000 houses demolished following earthquake
Heba Press: Al Haouz
The field operations related to the removal of rubble from demolished homes in Al Haouz province, following the earthquake that struck the region on September 8, have reached their final phase thanks to the necessary efficiency and speed demonstrated by the local authorities and all the actors involved, despite the rough terrain.
In accordance with the High Royal Instructions, the various actors are ensuring, within the framework of constant mobilization and diligence, to accelerate the process of reconstruction of the province of Al Haouz and the various areas affected by this natural disaster, while appropriate field solutions are currently being developed and implemented for the benefit of difficult cases.
Youssef Wardouni, Regional Director of Equipment and Water in Al Haouz, said in a statement to the Arab Maghreb Press that “the process of removing rubble and debris has reached its final stage,” stressing that this “required a great effort, as more than 23,360 houses were demolished and the rubble was removed by 99 percent.” In the region, this process has faced great difficulties due to the dispersion of roundabouts, the need to remove rubble to access them, the difficulty of connecting houses, the distance between them, and the distance from public places to roundabouts.
He added: “Initially, a group of classified roads, numbering 8, was opened, as well as a group of rural roads, which included about 35 unclassified roads,” noting that this operation “enabled the arrival of aid and the evacuation of the injured.” Road No. 7, considered the artery of the region, was also opened and very significant landslides occurred.
Mr Wardoni highlighted the combined efforts of all stakeholders involved, including a regional authority, external interests and those of the local community, which made it possible to overcome the difficulties.
He stressed that “as part of the emergency program, the Ministry of Equipment has committed to launching two sections of national road No. 7, which was achieved on June 24,” adding that the deadline for completing this project “is 18 months” and will be reduced.
This road connects four communities: Werkan, Imkdal, Ijokak and Three Nyakob. Once the work is completed, the connection will be in good condition and resilient to climate change and natural disasters. As for the other sections, they are being studied to connect Al Haouz and Taroudant, reduce transit time and raise the level of economic, social and tourist development in the region.
For his part, Anas Al-Basrawi, head of the equipment department of the Al Haouz prefecture, confirmed that “more than 23,360 housing units have been demolished out of 23,500, and the occupancy rate has reached the equivalent of 99 percent, thanks to the joint efforts of the Equipment Directorate and the Ministry of Interior, despite the difficulty of accessing some areas. He stressed that the remaining process “represents 1 percent of difficult cases and requires additional efforts.”
He added: “The reconstruction process begins immediately after the removal of the rubble and the necessary permits have been issued by the various stakeholders.” This process is known for its many difficulties, from the issuance of permits to digging the foundations and delivering the foundations, the structure, the front facade and the upper roof. We have reached 11,000 cases of dug foundations, which represents 47 percent of the total number of housing units, and as for the final delivery, one thousand housing units have been delivered out of 23,500, which is equivalent to 5 percent of the total number of housing units.
He stressed that this huge number and area is equivalent to 1 million 600 thousand square meters, and that efforts continue to intensify the process and end it as soon as possible, with intense daily monitoring on the ground by various stakeholders of external interests and local authorities.
On the other hand, Osama Abibou, engineer at the Public Laboratory of Experiments and Studies and head of the Al Haouz earthquake file, said: “Since the first day after the earthquake, we have carried out field work in order to untangle the problems. state of damaged structures, where we identified the buildings that need to be demolished and those that need to be repaired. We also carried out technical work by identifying the circles in which construction is possible and which are not suitable for construction, and those suitable for construction under strict conditions.
He added: “To date, the laboratory has visited more than 10,000 foundations dug by the concerned citizens, and they have been allowed to start construction work. We have also identified about 2,000 houses that need to be repaired.”
He explained that the construction process faces many obstacles, including the difficulty of the terrain and roads leading to the roundabouts, the difficulty of finding labor due to the simultaneous start of work in the Al Haouz region, as well as the difficulty of delivering construction materials and the cost.
What is certain is that the effects of the September 8 earthquake are gradually erasing many territorial communities and the most affected areas of the Al Haouz province, as evidenced by the widespread use of concrete housing that their owners have decided to build with determination, perseverance and optimism to turn this painful page.
