Rabat – Morocco is facing extreme summer heat, with three of its cities listed among the hottest places in the world in recent days.
According to data from Ogimet, Es-Semara, Ben Guerir, and Marrakech all recorded scorching temperatures above 45°C.
The southern city of Es-Semara was the hottest in Morocco, reaching 46.6°C, followed by Ben Guerir at 46.3°C, and Marrakech at 45.6°C. These temperatures placed them in the top 15 hottest locations worldwide.
The highest temperatures were recorded in the Middle East. Abadan in Iran topped the list with 48.9°C, followed by Ahwaz, also in Iran, at 48.2°C, and Kuwait International Airport at 48°C.
The heatwave is not only hitting Morocco but also much of North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. In Spain, for example, Jerez de la Frontera reported 45.8°C. Across Mediterranean countries, rising temperatures have already caused fatalities and wildfires, forcing authorities to issue health and safety warnings.
A new study has found that Europe’s late-June heatwave killed about 2,300 people across 12 major cities, with scientists attributing two-thirds of the deaths (1,500) to climate change.
Cities like Milan, Paris, and Barcelona were hit hardest, while London alone saw 273 deaths.
In recent weeks, Spain, Portugal, and Greece have faced severe wildfires fueled by extreme heat and prolonged dryness. Major fires have burned thousands of hectares of land, and forced evacuations in several areas.
In Morocco, many residents are struggling with the hot weather, especially in inland regions where temperatures are soaring. To escape the heat, people are heading to beaches and coastal towns, which remain slightly cooler, to find relief.
Scientists and experts have warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change, with countries around the Mediterranean among the most vulnerable.
