Extreme rainfall leads to severe flash floods in Morocco, killing 11 and leaving 9 missing

At least 11 people have been confirmed dead, and nine others are still missing following severe flash floods caused by extremely heavy rains that have battered Morocco since Friday, September 6, 2024. Some areas experienced a year’s worth of rainfall in just two days.

Moroccan authorities reported on Sunday that 11 people had died and nine others were missing after severe flash floods caused by an “exceptional” climate phenomenon hit the southern regions of the country.

According to Rachid Khalfi, the interior ministry spokesman, the deaths were caused by “heavy thunderstorms” that affected “17 prefectures and provinces.”

Among the victims, seven died in Tata province, approximately 740 km (460 miles) south of Rabat, and two more were found in Errachidia province, located nearly 500 km (311 miles) east of Marrakesh.

According to Khalfi, the amount of rain recorded in these regions since Friday was equivalent to the annual precipitation levels normally observed.

Meteorological experts said the rainfall was a result of an “extremely unstable tropical air mass.” Lhoussaine Youabd, a spokesman for the Moroccan General Directorate of Meteorology, explained that this weather system created “unstable and violent clouds,” leading to massive rainfall. He called the event “exceptional.”

Tagounite, near the Algerian border, registered 170 mm (6.7 inches) of precipitation on Saturday, September 7. Marrakech recorded 90 mm (3.54 inches), Asni 83 mm (3.27 inches), and Essaouira 80 mm (3.15 inches).

In the Ouarzazate region, 47 mm (1.85 inches) of rain fell within three hours.

The region of southern Morocco, including cities such as Marrakech, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, and smaller towns like Tagounite and Asni, experiences relatively low rainfall, particularly in September. For example, Marrakech typically receives around 15 – 20 mm (0.6 – 0.8 inches) of rainfall in September, while Essaouira, being closer to the coast, gets about 10 – 15 mm (0.4 – 0.6 inches). Ouarzazate, which is located in a desert region, averages just 5 – 10 mm (0.2 – 0.4 inches) during the same month.

Annually, the rainfall varies across these areas, with Marrakech receiving approximately 240 – 280 mm (9.5 – 11 inches), Essaouira about 300 – 350 mm (12 – 14 inches), and Ouarzazate only 50 – 100 mm (2 – 4 inches). Towns like Tagounite and Asni, situated near the Sahara and Atlas Mountains, experience similarly low levels of annual precipitation due to their arid surroundings.

“We haven’t seen such rain for about 10 years,” said Omar Gana, a local resident. The regions affected by this heavy rainfall have been experiencing a prolonged drought, with some areas facing at least six years of water shortages.

The floods led to the collapse of 40 homes, damaged 93 roads, and disrupted essential services such as electricity, drinking water, and telephone networks, while also sweeping away livestock.

In Algeria, civil defense officials had earlier reported that one person had died and another was missing due to floods in the Illizi region, located 1 900 km (1 180 miles) south of Algiers. Later, two people were reported missing in El Bayadh and Tamanrasset.

Authorities rescued several families trapped by flooding rivers in the southern parts of the country. Videos circulating on social media showed flooding in various areas, including parts of the Sahara Desert.

Meanwhile, flash floods continued to devastate southern Morocco. In Tata province, 12 people were reported missing, and at least seven houses collapsed.

In Douar Smougen, within the Marrakech-Safi region, 12 individuals were also reported missing. In Tiznit, two people were confirmed dead, and two others were rescued. In Tafraout, an elderly person was killed by the floods.

References:

¹ Torrential floods leave several people dead in southeastern Morocco – France 24 – September 9, 2024

² Several People Reported Missing Amid Flash Floods Sweeping Various Regions in Morocco –MWN – September 8, 2024

³ Record Rainfall Recorded in Several Moroccan Regions Over 24 Hours – Fesnews – September 8, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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