Morocco has evacuated over 50,000 residents from Ksar el-Kebir after weeks of heavy rain caused severe flooding, affecting nearly half of the city’s population, according to state media.
Rising waters from the Loukkos River and the nearby Oued Makhazine dam, which reached full capacity, posed a serious threat to the city.
Authorities sealed off the city, cut electricity in some neighborhoods, and closed schools until Saturday. Shelters and temporary camps were set up to house displaced residents.
The Moroccan army deployed rescue teams, medical personnel, trucks, and equipment to aid evacuation efforts, while helicopters were used to rescue those trapped by rising water.
The flooding crisis has also affected other areas, such as Sidi Kacem, where authorities reinforced riverbanks with sandbags to protect communities.
While the heavy rains ended a seven-year drought, they have created new challenges, with the national dam-filling rate now close to 62%, and several major reservoirs at full capacity.
Residents and authorities remain on high alert as the situation develops.
