Severe flooding has forced Moroccan authorities to evacuate around 50,000 residents from the northern city of Ksar El Kébir, nearly half of its population, after weeks of heavy rainfall caused the Loukkos River to overflow, according to official statements and international news agencies.
Residents described the city as a “ghost town,” with most commercial activity halted and markets closed as floodwaters submerged low-lying neighborhoods. The flooding was triggered by critically high river levels and worsened after the Oued Makhazine dam reached full capacity. Authorities confirmed that controlled water releases from the dam, carried out to protect its structural integrity, contributed to the downstream surge.
Royal Armed Forces Deployed
Following direct instructions from King Mohammed VI, the Royal Armed Forces were deployed to support civil protection services in large-scale rescue and evacuation operations. Military helicopters and specialized vehicles were used to reach residents trapped by floodwaters, while temporary shelters were set up in schools, community centers, and designated camps.
Authorities installed sandbags and metal barriers at entrances to vulnerable districts to reduce further water intrusion. More than 70 buses and several train services were mobilized to transport evacuees to safer locations, including the northern port city of Tangier. Evacuations remain both voluntary and mandatory, depending on risk levels.
Public Services Disrupted
The Provincial Directorate of National Education announced the suspension of all public and private schools in Ksar El Kébir from February 2 to February 7 due to safety concerns. Electricity was cut in several flooded neighborhoods as a precautionary measure, and access to the city was restricted to emergency services and residents evacuating affected zones.
Humanitarian organizations, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, reported extensive material damage and thousands of families facing emergency conditions. The Ministry of the Interior said casualty figures had not yet been confirmed, noting that assessments were ongoing.
Wider Regional Impact
Flooding has also affected other parts of northern Morocco, including Sidi Kacem, where the Sebou River overflowed, and areas surrounding Tetouan. Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology has maintained a Red Alert for several northern provinces, forecasting additional rainfall of 100 to 150 millimeters, with possible thunderstorms through mid-week.
Authorities urged residents to avoid riverbanks, comply strictly with evacuation orders, and refrain from traveling on flooded roads.
Drought Officially Ends
Despite the widespread damage, officials confirmed that the sustained rainfall has officially ended Morocco’s prolonged seven-year drought. National dam filling levels have reached approximately 61.7 percent, the highest recorded since 2019, providing long-term relief for water resources even as emergency operations continue.
Emergency services remain on high alert as weather conditions evolve and flood monitoring continues across the region.
