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Join on Telegram Rabat – The Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests has announced an action plan to address the significant damage caused by recent heavy rains in southeastern Morocco.
The provinces of Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Zagora, Errachidia, and Midelt were particularly affected, with damage to agricultural infrastructure, fruit trees, and annual crops.
Agriculture Minister Mohammed Sadiki visited the province of Ouarzazate to assess the impact of the severe weather. He was accompanied by the Governor of Ouarzazate, the President of the Drâa-Tafilalet Region, and other officials.
During his visit, Sadiki visited the Oum Rman site in the Ghessate commune, where the storms had caused considerable damage to irrigation systems, including the destruction of séguias (community-operated watercourses), protection walls, and siphons, as well as damage to olive, fig, and date palm orchards and annual crops.
In a statement, the ministry said it deployed teams to the affected areas to assess the situation and devise an action plan. During a meeting held in Ouarzazate, attended by regional agricultural leaders, it was announced that an initial budget of MAD 40 million would be allocated for emergency repairs.
The plan focuses on restoring damaged irrigation systems, rural roads, solar energy equipment, and pumping stations in Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Errachidia, Midelt, and Zagora.
The rains, which began on August 23, caused significant flooding in the region, particularly in the provinces of Ouarzazate and Tinghir. It led to the tragic death of 11 people while several others remain missing.
Despite the destruction, the heavy rainfall also had a positive impact. The statement said it improved the water levels in several dams, including the Mansour Eddahbi and Hassan Addakhil dams, revitalized small and medium irrigation systems, and replenished groundwater reserves.
