Moroccan authorities have evacuated more than 143,000 people from flood-prone areas in the country’s northwestern plains as a precaution against severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall, swollen rivers and controlled releases from dams, the interior ministry said on Thursday.
The evacuations were ordered as water levels rose sharply across several river basins following days of heavy rain, raising the risk of flash floods and dam overflows in low-lying communities, the ministry said in a statement.
Officials said emergency services had been placed on high alert and that temporary shelters were being prepared to accommodate displaced residents. Civil protection units, local authorities and security forces were deployed to assist evacuations and monitor vulnerable zones.
Morocco has stepped up dam water releases in recent days to prevent structural stress on reservoirs that are near capacity, the ministry said, adding that the controlled discharges had increased downstream flood risks.
Authorities urged residents in exposed areas to comply with evacuation orders and avoid riverbanks and flood channels, warning that weather conditions could worsen.
Seasonal flooding is common in parts of Morocco, but extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years, a trend scientists link to climate change.
