In a dramatic turn of events, southern Morocco has been ravaged by severe flooding, resulting in at least 11 confirmed deaths and leaving nine individuals missing. The unprecedented weather event has struck the provinces of Tata, Tiznit, and Errachidia, causing widespread destruction. Authorities report that 40 homes have collapsed, 93 roads have been severely damaged, and essential services, including electricity, water, and telecommunications, have been disrupted across several villages.
The flooding was triggered by an exceptional weather phenomenon, characterized by intense rainfall driven by an unstable tropical air mass. The precipitation recorded over the past two days has matched the average annual rainfall for these regions, with Ouarzazate experiencing 47 millimeters in just three hours and Tagounite, near the Algerian border, receiving a staggering 170 millimeters. These figures underscore the rare and severe nature of the storm.
The impact has been particularly devastating in Tata, approximately 740 kilometers south of Rabat, and Errachidia, nearly 500 kilometers east of Marrakesh. The heavy rains have caused significant fatalities, including a foreign national, although specific details about this victim have not been disclosed.
This disaster comes on the heels of a prolonged drought that has afflicted the region for the past six years, exacerbating the impact of the floods. The persistent water shortage has left southern Morocco and neighboring Algeria especially vulnerable to extreme weather events, amplifying the damage caused by the recent storm.
In Algeria, the civil defense reported one death in Illizi and several missing persons in El Bayadh and Tamanrasset. Rescue operations are ongoing, with efforts focused on assisting families trapped by the floods. Social media has revealed extensive flooding in parts of the Sahara Desert and Ouarzazate, where streets have been submerged.
The water crisis in Morocco is further strained by the recent floods, with dam levels plummeting to below 28 percent of capacity as of late August. This critical situation highlights the urgent need for both immediate relief and long-term strategies to address the region’s water challenges and prepare for future climate-related disasters.
