Morocco death toll rises to 18 in severe floods

Rescue efforts continue in the southeast region of Morocco hit by heavy floods that have left 18 people dead and several missing. The Moroccan Interior Ministry gave the figures in its report on the afternoon of 9 September. 

The worst-hit province was Tata with a total of 10 deaths, Errachidia with three people, one of whom was Peruvian and one of Canadian nationality, Tiznit with two people and Tinerhir with two, one of whom was of Spanish nationality, and one citizen in Taroudant. 

On the border with Algeria, five Algerian nationals are known to have died, although the authorities expect this number to rise as rescue efforts continue. Algerian Interior Minister Brahim Merad described the situation as ‘catastrophic’ on state television. Rescue workers in the Tata region are reported to be searching for four people who are missing. 

Interior Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said that ‘the government is actively working to restore communication and access to the flood-affected regions’. He also urged residents to exercise caution during an ‘exceptional climatic’ phenomenon. 

In terms of material damage, 56 houses were reported collapsed, 27 of them destroyed; 8 structures, including several arch bridges, damaged and partially damaged; and more than 110 road sections damaged with traffic disruptions. The authorities reported that 84 of them have been restored to normal. 

‘Total or partial collapse of eight medium infrastructure facilities. Damage to electricity, drinking water and telecommunications networks,' the Ministry said.

Damage to electricity and water facilities and infrastructure were seriously damaged. Problems in telecommunications networks caused difficulties in rescue efforts. 

In less than three hours, more than 47 mm of rain fell in Ouarzazate. Significant rainfall was also recorded in the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, with the heaviest rains falling in Tagounite in Zagora province (170 mm) and Mhamid El Ghizlane (90 mm). 

In Errachidia province, 76.4 mm were recorded in Ait Taouss and 65.8 mm in Ir Kissani. In Tata province, 50 mm were recorded in Akka and 53.5 mm in Foum Zguid; Zagora recorded 65 mm. Meanwhile, in Figig province, Talsint recorded 83 mm, while Aboulhal and Ain Chouater recorded 84 mm and 53 mm, respectively. Afella Ighir in Tiznit province recorded 80 mm. 

These storms were accompanied by strong winds that caused dust in the eastern and southeastern regions of the country, as well as in the Atlas Mountains. Strong gusts of wind were also recorded, reaching speeds of 100 km/h in Ouarzazate, 81 km/h in Errachidia, 76 km/h in Marrakech, 72 km/h in Midelt and 65 km/h in Nuasser. 

Even so, the interventions of the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, National Security, the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Defence, as well as all the technical departments concerned, made it possible to restore a significant part of the electricity network, while at the same time achieving complete reconnection to the drinking water networks and communications services. 

In various parts of the country, citizens and institutions are collecting food, medicines, tents, blankets, etc. for the families affected by the floods, which have already left 18 people dead since Friday. 

‘The various authorities are mobilising all the human and logistical resources necessary to respond quickly and effectively to this exceptional situation,’ the ministry said. ‘Measures are being taken to support the affected citizens, including the distribution of food, tents and blankets to affected families,’ the statement said.