Evacuations Continue in Sidi Kacem as Sebou River Water Levels Rise

Rabat – Authorities continued evacuation operations on Sunday evening in the commune of Al Houafate, in Sidi Kacem province, as water levels in the Sebou River rose following recent weather conditions.

Local authorities carried out precautionary and rapid evacuations of families living near the riverbanks, particularly in the douars of Al Hamidiyine, Derrarssa, Al Azib, and Al Sahraoui. 

They moved residents, and in some cases their cattle too, to safe and well-equipped locations to protect them from potential flooding.

The operation involved the Royal Armed Forces, Royal Gendarmerie, Civil Protection, and Auxiliary Forces working together under the coordination of provincial and local authorities. 

Authorities said they deployed all necessary logistical resources and human efforts to ensure the safety of citizens and facilitate the evacuation process smoothly.

In parallel with the evacuations, authorities announced that basic food aid will be distributed to residents in areas isolated by floodwaters after road access was cut. 

Although these areas are not directly threatened by flooding, rising water levels have left them temporarily cut off.

Authorities added that these measures are part of a wide emergency plan launched in Sidi Kacem province to secure vulnerable areas and limit the impact of recent weather disturbances on rural populations and infrastructure.

Provincial and local authorities are still on high alert and continue to closely monitor the hydrological situation of the Sebou River, ready to intervene and provide support whenever necessary.

A recent weather alert warned of exceptionally heavy rain and unstable weather expected in several areas across the country. 

The weather authority issued a red-level alert in the northern provinces of Chefchaouen, Fnideq, Tetouan, Ouazzane, Tangier-Assilah, and Larache. Rainfall of 100 to 150 millimeters is expected in these areas.