Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water has launched a new technical study to design an upgraded flood protection system for the coastal city of Safi, following the recent floods that struck parts of the city after heavy rainfall.
Speaking during a plenary session of oral questions in the House of Representatives today, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said the ministry is also revising flood-risk maps to better anticipate extreme weather events and adapt to changing climate patterns.
Baraka explained that the floods in Safi were caused by intense rainfall over a very short period, with large volumes of water concentrating mainly in the city center.
This situation reduced the effectiveness of the flood control dam located about nine kilometers from the city, he noted.
According to the minister, the dam received only around 200,000 cubic meters of water, despite having a total capacity of 3.5 million cubic meters.
The limited inflow was due to runoff accumulating within the urban area, preventing water from reaching the dam as designed.
Baraka welcomed the royal decision to launch a program to rehabilitate areas affected by flooding. The program includes emergency assistance for families who lost personal belongings, as well as support for homes damaged by the floods. He added that local authorities are continuing to identify and register all affected residents.
New flood protection system on the table
On the preventive front, the minister said he visited Safi with the Director General of Water Engineering to assess the situation on the ground.
During the visit, authorities initiated a study for an additional flood protection system to prevent a recurrence of what he described as a tragedy for the city.
The ongoing technical study focuses mainly on widening the outlet to allow Oued Chaaba to discharge directly into the sea, a measure intended to improve water flow during periods of heavy rainfall.
Baraka also pointed to efforts to improve monitoring and communication systems, noting that the ministry has made observational tools available to the public across different regions.
Early warning bulletins have also been reinforced, he said, adding that the Safi floods were preceded by weather alerts issued on December 8 and 9.
In parallel, the ministry is revising the national flood-risk atlas, which Baraka said has become outdated due to climate change.
The updated version is expected to be completed next year and will help identify areas requiring a higher level of preparedness. Safi has already been included in the new atlas.
More broadly, the minister outlined progress on flood protection projects nationwide. Between 2021 and 2025, 23 projects were completed in several provinces, including Larache, Tangier-Assilah, Ouezzane, Nador, Jerada, Boulemane, Meknes, Kenitra, Settat, Chichaoua, Zagora, Marrakech, Tiznit, Taroudant, Tinghir, Assa-Zag, Sidi Ifni, and Boujdour.
An additional 15 projects are currently underway in areas such as Meknes, Tetouan, Skhirat-Temara, Laayoune, Taroudant, Inzegane-Ait Melloul, Chefchaouen, Tan-Tan, Figuig, Taza, Sidi Kacem, and Youssoufia.
Baraka said a new flood protection program will be scheduled at the start of next year within the framework of Morocco’s river basin agencies.
Finally, the minister noted that Morocco has signed several agreements with international partners to reinforce early warning systems, particularly in areas most exposed to flood risks.