Morocco: flash floods cause 37 deaths and significant damages

Severe flash floods have caused 37 deaths in the coastal city of Safi, western Morocco, and severe damages to infrastructure, reports Maghrebi Week on 22nd of December.

Heavy rain, with over 60mm falling in 3 hours, caused torrents of mud throughout the city’s old medina, impacting dozens of homes and businesses. Damages were also reported in other cities across the country particularly Rabat, Tangier and Chechfaouen in the north. In the Tinghir province, there was one reported death, and two others missing.

The floods highlight Morocco’s increasing vulnerability to environmental disasters, and its lack of preparedness for catastrophes of this scale.

Maghrebi Week, Le Matin