A person of Spanish nationality died in Morocco due to heavy rains causing flooding in several provinces in the centre of the country. The total number of deaths due to heavy rains already stands at eighteenAmong them are three foreigners, including a Spaniard, a Peruvian and a Canadian. Four other people are missing, according to an updated report published this Monday by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior.
According to this provisional assessment, it is ten dead in the province of Tata, the most affected by the floods, three in Errachidia – among whom are a Canadian and a Peruvian -, two in Tiznit and two others in Tinghir – among whom is a Spaniard – and one person in Taroudant, the ministry detailed in a press release.
The ministry stressed that Moroccan troops continue to search for the four people still missing in Tata.
The same source also indicated that a total of 56 accommodations were damaged, 27 of which completely collapsed.
In addition, eight other artistic buildings have partially or completely collapsed, and damage has been recorded on the drinking water, electricity and telephone networks, a “significant part” of this damage having been repaired by Moroccan technical teams, indicated the same source, who added that there were temporary reductions in 110 roadswhose traffic was restored in 84.
“The public authorities have mobilized all the human resources and logistical means necessary to deal quickly and effectively with this exceptional situation and take all appropriate measures to help citizens,” the statement said, adding that tents and food have been distributed to affected families and work is underway to restore connectivity networks in the affected areas.
The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) of Morocco issued a red alert bulletin on Thursday from Friday to Sunday for the provinces of Zagora, Tinghir, Errachidia, Ouarzazate and Tata, and orange for Midelt, Figuig, Azilal, Tiznit, Guelmim, Sidi Ifni, Taroudant and Al Haouz, the latter two being located in the Atlas Mountains and seriously affected just a year ago by an earthquake that left 3,000 dead.
The spokesperson for the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior, Rachid El Khalfistressed yesterday Sunday that the rainfall recorded in the last two days represents about half of the rainfall that these regions experience throughout the year and, in some areas, has exceeded the annual average amount.
Specifically, 250 millimeters per hour were recorded in Tata, 203 in Tinguir, 114 in Figuig and 82 in Ouarzazate. Heavy rains affected a total of 17 Moroccan provinces.
