Casablanca – Moroccan authorities have carried out a large-scale evacuation operation in several northern provinces after exceptional rainfall caused dangerous rises in river levels and increased the risk of flooding. The Ministry of the Interior announced that more than 108,000 people had been evacuated and relocated as part of a preventive strategy aimed at protecting lives and property.

The operation comes amid unusually heavy rainfall across parts of northern Morocco, particularly in the Loukkos basin, where water levels have surged beyond seasonal norms. Authorities reported that dam filling rates have exceeded 80 percent, while rainfall in some areas has reached more than 140 percent above average levels, raising concerns about unprecedented water inflows and the stability of water infrastructure.

Large-scale evacuation under a preventive strategy

According to official figures, a total of 108,423 people had been evacuated as of the latest update. The majority were in Larache Province, where 81,709 residents were relocated, especially in the city of Ksar El Kebir, one of the areas most affected by flooding. Approximately 85 percent of the city’s residents left their homes either through organized evacuations or using their own means.

Evacuations were also carried out in Kenitra Province, where 14,133 people were relocated, in Sidi Kacem Province with 9,728 evacuees, and in Sidi Slimane Province with 2,853 people moved to safer areas.

Authorities stated that the evacuation process was conducted gradually and based on a risk-based methodology that considered the level of danger and the scale of potential damage. Transportation was provided to affected residents, along with logistical support to ensure their safety and well-being.

Full mobilization of state resources

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the operation was carried out under royal Instructions of the Moroccan King and involved a comprehensive mobilization of state resources. Units of the Royal Armed Forces were deployed in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Protection services, local authorities, the Royal Gendarmerie, National Security forces, Auxiliary Forces, and local administrative agents.

In Ksar El Kebir, one of the hardest-hit cities, the Ministry of the Interior reinforced its field presence by dispatching a high-level delegation of senior territorial officials, including general secretaries, pashas, and caids from several provinces and cities. This team was tasked with strengthening coordination on the ground and supporting flood crisis management linked to rising water levels at the Oued Al Makhazine dam.

Authorities established operational command centers at the provincial and municipal levels, holding continuous coordination meetings to ensure the functioning of drainage systems, manage dam overflow, and guide field interventions. Public buildings, particularly schools, were converted into temporary shelters to accommodate displaced families.

Ongoing rescue and relief operations

Rescue and relief operations are continuing in several affected areas, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods of Ksar El Kebir where floodwaters entered streets and homes. Civil Protection teams and security forces carried out complex evacuation missions, rescuing residents trapped by rising water and relocating elderly people, children, and vulnerable individuals to safer locations.

Emergency services also worked to maintain access routes, restore essential services where possible, and provide basic assistance, including food, clothing, and medical support, to those affected. Authorities stated that shelter camps and reception centers were set up to ensure temporary housing in safe and adequately equipped facilities.

Warnings of additional risks

Based on weather forecasts and official warning bulletins, authorities cautioned that further rainfall could reach up to 150 millimeters over a short period in some northern areas. Such precipitation could generate exceptional and unprecedented water inflows, particularly at the Oued Al Makhazine dam, where reservoir levels have reached record highs and could place significant pressure on infrastructure.

In light of these risks, the Ministry of the Interior announced additional precautionary measures and issued urgent calls for residents in high-risk areas to evacuate immediately. These areas include Ksar El Kebir, Souakene, Oulad Ouchih, the Larache industrial zone, and neighborhoods near the mouth of the Loukkos River.

Authorities stressed that strict compliance with evacuation orders is essential to prevent loss of life, noting that rising water levels could escalate rapidly and unpredictably.

Community solidarity and institutional response

Beyond official efforts, the response has been marked by strong community solidarity. Civil society organizations, political groups, and volunteers have supported affected families by providing shelter, food, clothing, and logistical assistance. In Ksar El Kebir, political party offices and community facilities were opened to host displaced residents, complementing government-run shelters.

Residents described severe conditions during peak flooding, including the rapid spread of water through streets and into homes, concerns over the collapse of older buildings, and temporary isolation of entire neighborhoods. Despite these challenges, authorities emphasized that no major loss of life had been reported, attributing this outcome to early intervention, coordinated evacuations, and continuous field presence.

Structural challenges and future priorities

Technical assessments indicate that the flooding situation in Ksar El Kebir and surrounding areas is linked to structural and geographic factors. The city’s location in the heart of the Loukkos plain makes it particularly vulnerable to large water flows during periods of heavy rainfall. Recurrent flooding has highlighted longstanding weaknesses in stormwater drainage systems and urban planning.

Experts and local officials have identified several priorities for the future, including a comprehensive modernization of drainage networks, stricter enforcement of urban planning regulations, and a ban on construction in designated flood-risk zones. Authorities have also stressed the need to move from a reactive emergency response approach to a sustainable, proactive flood risk management strategy.

Continued vigilance

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that all relevant public authorities and government sectors will remain on full alert and continue to coordinate closely in the coming days. Field teams will maintain a constant presence in affected areas, while monitoring hydrological and meteorological developments to adjust response measures as needed.

Officials praised the sense of responsibility and cooperation demonstrated by residents, noting that public awareness and compliance with evacuation orders have played a key role in reducing the impact of the floods. Authorities reiterated that citizen safety remains the top priority and that all necessary measures will continue to be implemented to protect lives, property, and public infrastructure.