Rabat: Torrential rains have forced Moroccan authorities to evacuate more than 140,000 people from flood prone areas in the north of the country, as overflowing rivers and emergency water releases from dams inundated towns and farmland.
Officials said the evacuations mainly affected low lying areas in northwestern Morocco, including parts of the Gharb plain and the Loukous river basin. Entire neighbourhoods were cleared after days of heavy rainfall caused rivers to burst their banks and saturated the ground, raising the risk of landslides.
One of the worst hit towns was Ksar El Kebir, where local authorities said a large majority of residents were moved to safer areas as floodwaters spread rapidly through homes and streets. Schools and universities in several affected provinces were closed as a precaution.
The interior ministry said water levels at several major dams rose sharply after the rains, forcing controlled releases to protect the structures. These releases, combined with swollen rivers, worsened flooding in nearby communities.
Rescue teams, including the army and civil protection units, were deployed to help evacuate residents, provide temporary shelter and deliver food and medical assistance. Helicopters were also used in some areas to reach isolated villages.
Local media reported that at least three people were killed in a landslide near the coastal city of Larache after heavy rain caused a house to collapse. Authorities warned that the risk of further landslides remains high as the soil is still saturated.
While the rains have brought much needed relief after years of drought and significantly boosted water reserves, officials said the immediate priority is protecting lives and preventing further damage. Weather services warned that unstable conditions could continue in parts of northern Morocco, and residents in at risk areas were urged to follow evacuation orders and safety instructions.
The government said it will assess damage to homes, infrastructure and agriculture once conditions improve, and promised support for families displaced by the floods.