Khaberni - The Moroccan authorities evacuated more than 50,000 people starting from Friday, in the northwest of the country, mostly in a precautionary measure in anticipation of floods.
Morocco has been experiencing continuous rainfall, especially in the northwest, since last week. The National Meteorological Directorate forecasted in its Monday bulletin that intense and sometimes thunderous rains ranging from 100 to 150 millimeters would continue until Wednesday in several provinces of the northwest.
The evacuation efforts were concentrated in the city of El-Qasr el-Kebir (about 200 kilometers north of Rabat) which experienced heavy rains that caused floods in recent days, noting that it is located along the route of the Loukkos River.
Residents were also evacuated from suburbs near the city of Sidi Qasem, close to the Sebou River, which are among the country's largest rivers.
The evacuations are being carried out gradually "according to the concerned areas and the field situation," as explained by a source in the Ministry of Interior.
Part of those evacuated have been hosted by relatives, while the authorities have taken care of those needing care in temporary camps, according to the same source.
The Royal Armed Forces are involved in the evacuation and relief operations by providing logistical support, as reported in a statement.
The authorities have also enhanced preparedness and coordination measures to manage water levels on the banks of the Loukkos and Sebou rivers in order to protect areas threatened by flooding, according to the Ministry of Interior.
The city of Safi (southwest) experienced sudden floods that resulted in the deaths of 37 people in mid-December, marking the highest toll of such an event in the past decade.
Likewise, heavy rains and floods resulted in the deaths of two people in Algeria and at least five in Tunisia, which has experienced unprecedented rainfall in seventy years.
