Floods in Morocco: Eleven dead and 9 missing
Hibapress
Eleven people have been killed and nine others are missing following heavy torrential rains that hit 17 prefectures and provinces in the Kingdom, the Interior Ministry said, citing a provisional toll.
Seven deaths were recorded in the province of Tata, two in the province of Tiznit and two other victims, including a foreign national, in the province of Errachidia, Interior Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said in a statement to the press on Sunday.
Nine other people are missing in the provinces of Tata, Errachidia and Taroudant, he added.
The ministry spokesman also indicated that the heavy downpours recorded over the last two days are equal to half of the annual rainfall in the region or sometimes exceed it in some areas. He specified in this regard that 250 mm were recorded in Tata, 203 mm in Tinghir, 114 mm in Figuig and 82 mm in Ouarzazate.
Regarding the material damage in the affected areas, the spokesperson reported the collapse of 40 houses, 24 of which were completely destroyed, as well as the total or partial collapse of four medium-sized structures.
Furthermore, Mr. El Khalfi specified that 93 road sections were damaged, including national, regional and provincial roads, leading to the interruption of traffic on these roads, noting that the public authorities have, so far, been able to restore traffic on 53 sections.
The bad weather also caused damage to the electricity and drinking water supply networks as well as to the telephone networks, he continued.
Local authorities and all stakeholders, including the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, National Security, Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, as well as all technical departments concerned, were mobilized from the first moments, while all necessary human and logistical resources were deployed to intervene immediately and deal with this exceptional situation, providing the necessary aid and assistance to the population, the spokesperson noted.
All stakeholders are working to open up the affected areas and ensure the restoration of road, electricity and drinking water supply networks, as well as telecommunications services, he stressed.
These efforts are part of a comprehensive and proactive approach adopted by public authorities to address the consequences of this exceptional situation, since August 29, 2024, through the activation of monitoring committees, raising awareness among the local population and mobilizing the necessary resources, recalled Mr. El Khalfi.
The Ministry of Interior urges, on this occasion, local populations and visitors to the affected regions to exercise extreme vigilance and to refrain from any behavior likely to endanger their lives, due to unstable weather conditions, and to strictly comply with the recommendations and advice provided by the authorities, he noted.
