Rabat: Residents in northwestern Morocco have begun returning to their homes after severe flooding forced tens of thousands to evacuate earlier this month. Authorities say the situation is improving as water levels drop and roads reopen in the affected areas.
Emergency services had moved nearly 188000 people to safer locations after rivers overflowed and floodwaters spread across towns and farmland. One of the worst affected areas was Ksar El Kebir, about 200 kilometres north of Rabat, where many residents are now allowed to return except those living in high risk zones.
Flooding submerged about 110000 hectares of land, damaging homes, farms and infrastructure in a region known for agriculture. To assist displaced families, authorities arranged free train and bus transport to help people travel back from shelters and host cities.
The flooding followed unusually heavy winter rains that were about 35 percent above historical averages and nearly three times higher than last year. The Oued Makhazine dam exceeded capacity, forcing controlled releases of water that contributed to the Loukous River overflowing and flooding nearby plains.
Rescue operations included evacuations by security forces and the establishment of temporary shelters and emergency camps. Farmers suffered heavy losses as crops were destroyed and farmland remained waterlogged.
The government has announced a recovery plan worth about 3 billion dirhams, or 330 million US dollars, to rebuild damaged infrastructure, restore irrigation systems and support affected families and small businesses. The hardest hit municipalities have been declared disaster zones to speed up relief and reconstruction efforts.
Despite the destruction, the heavy rains brought relief to the country’s long running drought. Water reserves in Morocco’s dams have risen sharply, reaching close to 70 percent capacity compared with about 27 percent last year.
As recovery begins, authorities continue to monitor conditions and warn residents to remain cautious while returning to damaged homes and fields. The focus is now shifting from emergency response to rebuilding lives and restoring livelihoods.