Morocco will invest $330 million to support northwestern regions affected by several weeks of severe flooding, the government announced.
The provinces of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane have been declared disaster zones following heavy rainfall that caused widespread damage.
The government plans to use the funds to repair damaged infrastructure, rehouse displaced households, compensate for income losses, and restore homes and businesses.
The plan will also support farmers and small enterprises to limit the floods’ economic impact.
According to Ecofin Agency, since January, exceptional rainfall has caused flash floods across plains and river valleys in northwestern Morocco.
The situation was worsened when authorities released excess water from several dams as national reservoir levels rose from 27% to nearly 70%, with local peaks exceeding that level.
The Gharb and Loukkos basins, which irrigate the affected provinces, are among Morocco’s most important agricultural zones.
Farmers operate extensive cereal fields, livestock farms, and large fruit and vegetable plantations supplying export markets.
Floodwaters have submerged over 110,000 hectares of agricultural land, damaging cereal crops, berry plantations, vegetable fields, and sugar beet farms destined for export.
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Authorities reported that 188,000 people were displaced and more than 143,000 were evacuated preventively or in emergencies to reduce human risk.
Floodwaters severely affected Ksar El Kébir, a historic city of around 120,000 residents, where multiple neighborhoods were submerged.
To respond, authorities restricted access to several areas while the army, security forces, and local officials carried out rescue operations.
Reception camps were established in cities such as Asilah and Tangier to shelter evacuated residents and provide emergency aid. Helicopters and boats were deployed to assist with rescue operations.
Authorities partially emptied several major dams to absorb additional floodwaters, even as snowmelt in the Atlas and Rif mountains reached a record 55,495 square kilometers, and will continue to feed reservoirs in the coming weeks.
These measures aim to protect infrastructure, secure water supplies, and limit further damage.
Experts say these events highlight the growing impact of climate change on Morocco’s hydrological risk.
Alternating prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall reflect broader Mediterranean trends, where atmospheric warming intensifies the water cycle and increases the frequency and severity of heavy precipitation, according to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The $330 million investment reflects both a humanitarian need and a strategic effort to strengthen the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and economic activity against climate hazards.
Authorities aim to provide immediate support while preparing the country for future extreme rainfall events.
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Image Credit: Riyad Saliheed School
