Rabat – After the severe floods that hit several parts of Morocco, particularly the north, authorities say they are reinforcing long-term efforts to manage natural disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities.
Heavy rainfall in recent days has caused rivers to overflow in several northern provinces, forcing evacuations and prompting the temporary closure of schools in parts of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. At least four people died near Tetouan due to the floods.
In this context, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said the government has made disaster risk management a top priority. In a written response to a parliamentary question, he stated that Morocco is exposed to multiple natural hazards, including floods, earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis, due to its geography and climate.
Laftit said the country shifted toward a more proactive approach after the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake, moving from reacting to disasters to focusing on prevention and preparedness. According to the minister, this approach led to the adoption of the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Risk Management 2030.
He said the strategy aims to reduce the impact of disasters and strengthen the resilience of citizens and public institutions, especially in vulnerable areas. The plan covers four main risks, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, and tsunamis. It includes measures related to governance, risk assessment, prevention, early warning systems, and post-disaster reconstruction.
Authorities say they have developed urban risk maps, strengthened monitoring systems for floods and earthquakes, and launched an integrated flood warning system in selected regions before expanding it nationwide.
Laftit acknowledged that achieving “zero risk” is impossible. However, he said Morocco has introduced a dual compensation system to support both insured and uninsured victims of catastrophic events, stressing that public authorities remain on constant alert.
Morocco witnessed unusually heavy rain in recent weeks, leading to floods in several provinces. Ksar El Kebir was hit the hardest, especially after the nearby Oued Al Makhazin dam exceeded its capacity, promoting authorities to empty excess water, which caused water levels to increase in Loukous river. This increased the risk of deadly flooding in the city.
As a result, authorities evacuated nearly all residents to nearby cities and shelters. Authorities also carried out several helicopter rescues for people stuck in remote flooded areas.
