Morocco has launched a nationwide emergency relief operation to support tens of thousands of families affected by severe winter storms that have brought deadly floods, heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures across the country.
Authorities said the aid programme will reach around 73,000 households in 28 provinces, with food supplies and blankets being distributed as extreme weather conditions are expected to continue.
The response follows a deadly flash flood in the coastal city of Safi on Sunday that killed at least 37 people. Torrential rain lasting less than an hour caused floodwaters to rise up to four metres, sweeping vehicles through streets, damaging about 70 homes and shops, and trapping residents inside buildings. Fourteen people were hospitalised, including two in intensive care, and schools in the city have been closed due to debris and mud blocking roads.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether infrastructure failures, including inadequate drainage systems, worsened the flooding. While officials said rainfall levels were typical for the region, the scale of the damage has raised questions about urban planning and flood preparedness.
Weather authorities have issued red alerts for heavy snowfall of up to 80cm in the High Atlas Mountains and orange alerts for heavy rain in central and northern regions. Some mountain areas have already recorded 50cm of snow, with temperatures dropping below freezing.
The extreme weather follows seven years of drought and comes after Morocco’s hottest year on record, with scientists warning that climate change is making storms more intense and unpredictable across North Africa. The floods also come days after 22 people died in building collapses in Fes, intensifying concerns over infrastructure and safety standards.
Source: Al Jazeera