Morocco Evacuates Over 100,000 People Amid Severe Flash Floods

More than 108,000 people were evacuated from four Moroccan provinces after flash floods caused by heavy rainfall, with the worst impact in Larache province and the city of Ksar el-Kebir. Authorities carried out phased evacuations, set up emergency shelters and provided assistance as flooding disrupted roads, power and water supply. The evacuations followed warnings of intense rainfall linked to a low-pressure system affecting several regions.

Moroccan authorities have evacuated more than 100,000 people from four provinces after flash floods swept through several parts of the country, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday, as heavy rainfall continued to pose serious risks to lives and infrastructure.
In a statement, the ministry explained that the evacuations were carried out in phases across multiple municipalities, with decisions guided by assessments of risk levels, weather forecasts and the scale of potential damage. Authorities arranged transportation for affected residents to ensure their safe relocation from high-risk areas as part of coordinated emergency measures.
By Wednesday morning, a total of 108,423 people had been evacuated from four provinces. Larache province recorded the highest number, with about 81,709 residents displaced, most of them from the city of Ksar el-Kebir, which was heavily affected by rising water levels. In Sidi Kacem province, 9,728 people were evacuated, while 2,853 residents were moved from Sidi Slimane province and 14,133 from Kenitra province.
The evacuations followed days of intense rainfall that caused flooding in several northern regions of Morocco, triggering ongoing rescue and emergency response operations. Authorities said emergency shelters and reception centers were established to house displaced residents, with food, medical support and other essential assistance provided. According to the Interior Ministry, the measures were intended to minimize the impact of the floods and protect public safety.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Water reported that flash floods were also recorded on the outskirts of Guercif in eastern Morocco, after water levels rose significantly in the Mason Valley. The flooding led to disruptions on major roads in several provinces, hampering transportation and access. Affected routes included highways linking Tangier and Tetouan, as well as roads in Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane.
On Tuesday, Ksar el-Kebir Mayor Mohammed Al-Simo said authorities took the decision to evacuate the entire city overnight as a precautionary measure against worsening flood conditions. He cited water and electricity outages, as well as the need to prevent loss of life, according to local media reports. Local outlets estimate the city’s population at about 120,000, underscoring the scale of the evacuation effort.
The severe flooding followed a warning issued on Monday by Morocco’s meteorological service, which alerted authorities and residents to a low-pressure system expected to bring heavy rainfall of up to 150 millimeters in several regions. Officials said they continue to monitor the situation closely as weather conditions evolve.