Rabat – Morocco’s Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) has issued an orange alert, warning of thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds expected from Tuesday to Thursday in several regions across the country.
The alert signals potential danger due to heavy rainfall ranging from 30 to 40 millimeters (mm), which is anticipated to affect the provinces of Oued Ed-Dahab and Aousserd on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The storms will continue from Wednesday at 6 a.m. through Thursday at 6 a.m., affecting the provinces of Figuig, Jerada, Oujda-Angad, Taourirt, Boulemane, Midelt, and Errachidia. The DGM warns residents to take precautions due to the risk of localized flooding, hail, and damaging wind gusts.
The announcement comes as several southeastern provinces in Morocco are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods caused by extreme weather conditions. Heavy rains over the weekend resulted in catastrophic flooding across 17 provinces and prefectures and led to the tragic death of 11 individuals.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the fatalities occurred in the provinces of Tata (7 people), Tiznit (2 people), and Errachidia (2 people, one of whom was a foreign national).
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, shared in a press briefing in Rabat that nine people remain missing, including individuals from the provinces of Tata, Errachidia, and Taroudant. The extreme weather conditions dumped nearly half of the region’s annual rainfall, with Tata recording 250 mm, Tinghir 203 mm, Figuig 114 mm, and Ouarzazate 82 mm.
The floods have caused extensive material damage, including the collapse of 40 houses, 24 of which were completely destroyed. Four medium-sized infrastructure projects were also either partially or completely ruined. The damage has disrupted 93 road sections, including national, regional, and provincial roads, cutting off traffic in multiple areas.
In addition, the floods have affected electricity, drinking water, and telecommunications networks.
