Rabat – King Mohammed VI has issued high instructions for immediate intervention to mitigate the impact of the floods amid heavy rains and rising river levels in Ksar El Kebir.
On Friday, the National Monitoring Committee, responsible for managing and overseeing flood-related events, met on Friday at the Ministry of Interior headquarters. It commended the monarch’s instructions for the immediate intervention of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the deployment of significant human and logistical resources to support and assist populations in the affected areas.
During the meeting, institutions and services discussed the situation in Ksar El Kebir, which witnessed alarming flooding. Several videos show people being evacuated from affected and at-risk areas.
Heavy rainfall accumulated over 600 millimeters from September to January in Larache province, causing the Oued El Makhazine dam to reach full capacity.
During the meeting, authorities also reviewed the extent of the damages, focusing on coordinating interventions and measures to protect the population and ensure the safety of citizens and their property.
The meeting also discussed measures seeking to boost ongoing interventions and operational monitoring, through identification and tracking mechanisms, as well as deploying human resources and logical means.
Authorities also discussed the measures taken in place, which aim to limit the flooded areas and reduce potential impacts, while pledging continued monitoring and surveillance to ensure immediate intervention whenever necessary until weather conditions improve.
Officials also renewed appeals, urging all citizens, particularly those residing in the affected areas, to exercise utmost vigilance and cooperate with authorities to protect lives and property and ensure the safety of all people.
Minister of Equipment Nizar Barakar said during the meeting in Rabat that the committee is working in coordination with regional and provincial committees on the development of an atlas of areas at risk of flooding, as well as early-warning mechanisms for future risks.
The weather office published a new weather alert today, forecasting more rainfall.
Heavy rainfall is expected in the provinces of Larache, Al Hoceima, Taounate, Taza, and Chefchaouen starting today. The rainfall will continue until Saturday morning, with downpours producing 40 to 60 millimeters of rain.
