Flash floods leave at least 21 dead in Morocco
Weather tragedy in Morocco.
At least 21 people have died in the province of Safi due to flooding caused by heavy storms in recent hours.
The province of Safi, located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast, was the worst affected by the torrential rains.
The heavy rains affected several homes and businesses and caused flash floods that took the inhabitants of the Safi region, located about 300 kilometres south of the capital Rabat, by surprise. The muddy water swept away everything in its path, leaving at least 21 dead and causing significant material damage in the space of just one hour, during which the heaviest rainfall occurred.
In addition to the fatalities, dozens of people were injured and received appropriate treatment at local health centres, particularly at the hospital in the port city of Safi.
The consequences of climate change continue to take their toll on Morocco, which is facing an autumn period that is always characterised by falling temperatures and worsening weather, although temperatures are not currently falling as much due to global warming. This means that, with the humidity caused by high levels of water vapour persisting after the summer, there is a risk of heavy rainfall.
Dozens of buildings, including homes, premises and businesses, and dozens of vehicles were severely affected by the flow of water mixed with mud, and there was also damage to sections of road.
During the night, the water level dropped and security forces and civil protection services proceeded with clean-up operations and the search for more victims. Meanwhile, health technicians attended to the victims found.
Efforts to search for possible victims continue, and the authorities are attempting to ‘secure the affected areas’ and ‘provide the necessary support and assistance to the populations affected by this exceptional situation,’ according to local authorities in Safi.
Rain and snow
In addition to heavy rain in certain areas of Morocco, such as Figuig, Errachidia, Safi and Sidi Bennour, there were also snow warnings in areas such as Midelt, Boulemane, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Ifrane, Khenifra, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Al Haouz and Taroudant. The Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) announced on Saturday that snowfall was expected above 1,700 head waiter, along with heavy rain and some storms, in several provinces of the North African country over the weekend. The DGM also reported that heavy rain was expected again on Tuesday. Bad weather and flooding are common in Morocco, which is nevertheless suffering from a severe drought for the seventh consecutive year, also as a result of climate change, global warming and the absence of regular rainfall.