Rabat – Several Moroccan regions are expecting cold weather, snowfall, and strong winds on Sunday, January 19, announced the National Meteorological Directorate (DMN).
The directorate forecasts cold weather in the regions of Al Haouz, Azilal, Midelt, Ifrane, Boulmane, Tinghir, Beni Mellal, and Chichaoua between Monday, January 20, and Wednesday, January 22, says DMN’s special alert.
The list also includes the regions of Ouarzazate, Figuig, Taourirt, Jerada, Sefrou, El Hajeb, Khenifra, Taroudant, and Al Hoceima.
According to the report, the regions of Al Haouz, Azilal, Tinghir, Beni Mellal, Midelt, Ifrane, Khenifra, Sefrou, and Boulmane should expect heavy snowfall at altitudes higher than 1200 meters, between Sunday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 21.
During the same period, mild snowfalls of less than 20 centimeters will hit the regions of Taourirt, Taza, Figuig, Al Hoceima, and Ouarzazate, the document.
DMN also forecasts strong winds, varying in speed between 75 and 95 kilometers per hour, to hit the regions of Al Haouz, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Midelt, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni, Nador, Tinghir, and Guelmim, on Sunday, January 19, concludes the report.
While the winter season and snowfall beautify some Moroccan cities such as Ifrane, they also make living conditions harsh for people in remote mountainous areas.
In an effort to ease these conditions, Morocco has put in place a national plan for the combat of cold waves. The plan is an inter-ministerial effort that targets 1,753 remote villages over 27 different provinces and benefits more than 736,000 Moroccans.
The plan includes supplying the target villages with commodities, heating, and livestock feed, as well as linking them to telecommunication systems.
Other preparations include arranging helipads for medical interventions in cases of emergency, and the deployment of mobile hospitals and medical units.
