Several areas in southeastern Morocco experienced severe flooding overnight on Friday following heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The intense weather has caused significant rises in water levels in Azilal, Tinghir, and Ouarzazate, leading to substantial damage to infrastructure.
Houssein Youabed, Head of the Communication Department at the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM), told Morocco’s state-owned media, SNRT, that thunderstorms with heavy showers, occasional hail, and strong winds impacted the eastern High Atlas and Middle Atlas regions, including Errachidia, Midelt, Boulemane, and Tinghir.
In the Midelt province, rainfall was recorded at 22.5 mm in Imilchil, 7.0 mm in Gourrama, and 3.0 mm in Rich, according to SNRT.
The Tinghir province saw 25 mm in Kelaat M’gouna, 20 mm in Toudgha El Oulia, and 18 mm in Souk El-Khémis Dades. Tinghir and Assoul each received 16 mm, while Ait Hani recorded 10 mm. In Errachidia, Amellagou experienced 30 mm, Tadighoust 18 mm, Errachidia city 16 mm, and Mlaab 10 mm.
Mohamed Slimani, Director of the Guir Ziz Rheris Water Basin Agency, reported that rainfall between August 23 and 24 led to significant water inflows.
The Todgha Dam recorded 2 million cubic meters of water, the Hassan Addakhil Dam 1.8 million cubic meters, and the Kadoussa Dam 1.5 million cubic meters. Additionally, over 15 million cubic meters were measured in the Gheris River.
Slimani noted that the water is being redirected to irrigation systems in the Gheris, Goulmima, Jorf, and Tafilalet oases through diversion dams along the Gheris River, particularly the Moulay Ibrahim Dam.
Infrastructure Damage
Hamid El Saidi, Head of Basic Equipment Services at the Regional Directorate of Equipment and Water in Ouarzazate, said that ministry teams are actively working to reopen roads and routes blocked by rising water levels.
El Saidi detailed that roads connecting Ouarzazate and Azilal, including National Route No. 09, National Route No. 10, Regional Road 1512, Regional Road 1506, and Regional Road 1112, were closed from last night until this morning.
Most of these roads have now been reopened, except for Regional Road 1506 in the Ait Benhaddou section.
The ministry was on high alert for immediate response, following a warning from the DGM.
The agency had predicted thunderstorm showers with hail and strong winds, affecting several regions from 5:15 p.m. to midnight on August 23.