Heavy Rains in Southern Morocco Claim 18 Lives, 4 Still Missing
Rabat, Morocco – Heavy rains and subsequent floods in southern Moroccohave claimed the lives of 18 people, including three foreign nationals, with four others still missing, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.
The ministryconfirmed in a statement that the victims include one Canadian, one Peruvian, and one Spanish citizen. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the missing individuals.
Thetorrential downpours, which began on September 6th, have wreaked havoc in the provinces of Tata, Tiznit, and Laâyoune, causing widespread damage and disrupting daily life. The ministry reported that 56buildings have either collapsed or suffered partial collapses, and 110 roads have been damaged.
The Moroccan Meteorological Department attributed the heavy rains to an unstable tropical air mass.
Despite the devastation, authorities have managed to restore most ofthe affected power network, while water and telecommunications services have been fully restored.
The government is mobilizing resources to assist those affected by the disaster, providing food, tents, and blankets to displaced residents. Efforts are also underway to restore public services in the affected areas as quickly as possible.
“The governmentis committed to supporting the affected communities and ensuring their safety and well-being,” said a government spokesperson. “We are working tirelessly to provide immediate relief and address the long-term needs of those impacted by this disaster.”
The Moroccan Red Crescent has also deployed teams to the affected areas to provide medical assistance and psychological supportto those in need.
The recent floods highlight the vulnerability of Morocco to extreme weather events, particularly in southern regions known for their arid climate. Climate change is increasingly impacting weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall events, posing a significant challenge to infrastructure and communities.
This event underscores the need for robustdisaster preparedness measures, including early warning systems, improved infrastructure, and community-based disaster risk reduction strategies.
The Moroccan government has pledged to invest in strengthening its disaster response capabilities and enhancing resilience to future extreme weather events.
International Response
The Moroccan government has received condolences and offers of support from several
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