Rabat – Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch has attributed the tragic situation in Safi to fate as heavy rainfall caused floods in the region.
“It is fate that rainfall of 30 millimeters affected the region of Safi in a short period of time, 37 millimeters to be precise, affecting the historical Bab Chaaba market, which is traversed by a river,” he told MPs at the parliament today.
He also extended his and the government’s condolences to the families affected.
Akhannouch’s remarks, first of their kind from a top government official, come amid sharp criticism, with citizens questioning the region’s infrastructure.
Mohammed Ouzzine, a member of Parliament from the Popular Movement, has strongly criticized the government in the wake of the devastating floods in Safi. Ouzzine condemned what he described as the longstanding neglect by current and previous administrations and called on Akhannouch’s cabinet to take responsibility.
He stressed that the victims and the city should urgently benefit from the Disaster Compensation Fund, which he described as largely ineffective under current regulations. The Safi floods on Sunday killed at least 37 people, while many others were injured.
“Let’s all recall the recent updates. The loss of lives in the old city, the pottery market, and Bab Chaaba in Safi — the city of sardines and phosphate, neglected by your government and previous governments — this is a fact that cannot be ignored. Mr. Head of Government, someone must take responsibility. Isn’t it time to officially declare Safi the disaster-stricken city?” Ouzzine said at parliament today.
Floods have killed at least 37 people since Sunday night, disrupting traffic and causing the closure of schools for three days.
Read also: Safi Heartbreak: Don’t Blame the Rain
Footage and pictures online show civil protection efforts to help rescue people. Citizens across the region joined the efforts.
The Regional Director of Equipment today confirmed that rainfall recorded in Safi on Sunday exceeded 60 millimeters within a three-hour period.
“The rainfall experienced by the city of Safi on Sunday varied in quantity between the central, southern, and northern parts of the city,” he said.
He said the concentration of precipitation was in the old city, while other parts of the region did not record the same value of rainfall.
He said the death toll resulting from the exceptional thunder rainfall triggered sudden and violent flash floods.
Today, the weather office expects snowfall to start on Tuesday at midnight and continue on Wednesday, with accumulations reaching 50 to 80 centimeters in the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, and Azilal.
Meanwhile, heavy thunder showers are expected starting this evening, with estimated downpours of 45 to 65 millimeters in Taounate, Al Hoceima, Ouezzane, Chefchaoen, Khenifra, Ifrane, and Beni Mellal.
Azilal Al Haouz and Taza will experience the same weather.
Mohamemedia, Sefro, and Fez will experience rainfalls between 35 and 45 millimeters in addition to Moulay Yaacoub, Fqih Ben Slah, Khemisset, El Kelaa Sraghna, Settat, Khouribga, Sidi Slimane, Sidi Kacem, and Berrchid.
The same weather is expected in Kenitra, Mdiouna, Casablanca, Nouaceur, Skhirat-Temara, Sale, Tangier, and Assilah, as well as in Larache, Fahs-Anjra, M’diq-Fnideq, Tetouan, El Hajeb, and Meknes.
Rainfall between 25 and 35 millimeters is also expected in Marrakech, Rehamna, Youssoufia, Chichaoua, Sidi Benour, Safi, Esaouira, and AEl Jadida.
