Casablanca – Torrential rains that hit southeastern Morocco from September 6-9 have led to devastating consequences, including 18 confirmed deaths and four people reported missing, according to the latest update from the Interior Ministry. The floods have caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of 56 homes, 27 of which were completely destroyed, and the partial or total failure of eight medium-sized engineering structures.

In response to the crisis, the Moroccan government has allocated more than $4 million for urgent repairs and relief efforts. Mohammed Sadiki, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, announced the funding during a visit to the affected regions. This budget is aimed at addressing immediate damage, focusing on repairing water infrastructure and supporting agricultural recovery in these areas.

During his visit, Sadiki, accompanied by the Governor of Ouarzazate and other local officials, assessed the impact of the floods. The evaluation revealed significant damage to hydraulic systems, including irrigation channels, protective walls, and siphons. Fruit orchards, including olive, fig, and date palm trees, along with annual crops, have also been severely affected.

Alongside immediate relief efforts, the government is continuing its commitment to long-term development through the “Green Morocco Plan” and the “Generation Green” strategy. These initiatives include ambitious projects such as planting five million palm trees by 2030 and enhancing rural development through improved product promotion, irrigation management, and support for small producers.

The floods also impacted essential services, causing damage to electricity, drinking water, and telecommunications networks. However, significant progress has been made in restoring these services, with major parts of the electricity network repaired and drinking water and telecommunications services fully restored.

Temporary disruptions affected 110 road sections, of which 84 have been reopened following interventions by the relevant services.

The ongoing recovery efforts are being closely monitored, with public authorities mobilizing all necessary resources to assist affected communities. Additional support programs are being developed for the province of Tata, which also experienced significant flooding.

The tragic impact of the floods highlights the urgent need for continued assistance and resilience-building in Morocco’s vulnerable regions.