Morocco: key infrastructure under pressure from extreme weather

Morocco’s dam storage level increased from 31.1% to 45.26% between December 12th to January 8th as the country’s infrastructure continues to be challenged by severe weather, according to a report in Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi.

In a press briefing, the Minister in charge of relations with Parliament, Mustapha Baïtas, described the effects of increased precipitation on the country’s dam storage, declaring the current volume of 7.58 billion cubic metres the highest level recorded since July 17th 2021.

Red and orange weather warnings have been released for parts of the Kingdom, with areas experiencing snow, high winds, and heavy rain.

Baïtas said dam inflows from September 1st are currently at 3.427 billion cubic metres, with 3.006 billion cubic metres recorded from December 12th to January 8th.

The recent increase represents an estimated 88% of water inflows since early September, he said, whist highlighting that several dams, mostly in the Sebou basin, are discharging excess water.

Over 32 dams have declared fill rates above 100%, with many key dams also nearing maximum capacity, he added.

Baïtas also announced that the country had experienced a cumulative rainfall of 108mm from September 1st to January 8th, marking an increase of nearly 94.4% from the same period a year ago, and a 21% rise from the seasonal average.

It was reported on December 15th, that deadly flash floods killed 37 people in Safi, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, following thunderstorms and heavy rain.

In response to the tragedy and further forecast inclement weather for other parts of the country, authorities announced emergency aid for 28 provinces across the Kingdom. Food supplies, blankets and other relief have been earmarked for tens of thousands of families to mitigate the extreme conditions.

Heavy snowfall had also occurred in a number of Moroccan regions, the minister added, with it spanning across over 55,400 square kilometres.

Yabiladi, Maghrebi.org