As Morocco braces for increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, meteorologist Hussein Youabbad has become a familiar face across TV and radio, warning citizens in Arabic, Darija, and Amazigh about soaring temperatures and their health risks—especially in rural communities.
From the headquarters of the General Directorate of Meteorology in Casablanca, Youabbad, the agency’s communications chief, explains that once an alert is issued, “we immediately notify the public to take precautions,” aiming for swift and widespread awareness.
This proactive approach comes amid record-breaking climate shifts. 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded in Morocco, with average temperatures exceeding the norm by 1.49°C compared to the 1991–2020 baseline, the highest anomaly in national records. Simultaneously, the country recorded a 24.7% rainfall deficit, marking the continuation of a severe drought cycle that began in 2018.
In June 2024, Moroccan cities experienced scorching extremes, with Ben Guerir reaching 46.4°C, echoing broader heatwaves that swept through southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
To better mitigate the health and environmental effects of extreme heat, Morocco is developing a “smart alert system”that could push warnings directly to citizens’ mobile phones. Currently, weather alerts are dispatched to local authorities, civil protection services, and media outlets, and shared increasingly on social media platforms to maximize public outreach.
“We want to deliver practical, real-time guidance directly to citizens,” said Youabbad, a 52-year-old engineer specializing in meteorology. “These new technologies will help us act faster and more precisely.”
Hicham Fenniri, director at the International Water Research Institute of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, praised Morocco’s early recognition of climate volatility, but emphasized the need for stronger investment in scientific research and infrastructure, particularly for rural resilience.
According to the High Commission for Planning, as of 2024, 5.4% of Morocco’s rural population still lacked electricity access, and 20.4% were not connected to a potable water source.
Fenniri urged a return to traditional architectural techniques, adapted with clean technologies, as a viable method to reduce interior heat in homes and public buildings.
Rising heat also brings greater health hazards, especially in remote areas. The Ministry of Health has activated its summer contingency plans, issuing hospital protocols and public awareness campaigns to help citizens mitigate heat-related illnesses.
In El Harhoura, near Rabat, clinic director Loubna Rouhi advises staying indoors during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), wearing light-colored clothing, and staying hydrated.
Additionally, the ministry has renewed efforts to combat venomous bites, launching a campaign against scorpion stings and snake bites, which surge during extreme heat in rural zones. Morocco records around 25,000 scorpion sting cases and 250 snakebite incidents annually.
Thanks to specialized antivenom kits and rapid response protocols, mortality from these bites has dropped significantly, from 7.2% in 2013 to 1.2% today, according to Mohamed Ismaili of the Ministry’s Mobile Care Directorate.
Looking ahead, National Climate Center acting head Meryem El Laouri predicts that temperatures will continue to exceed seasonal averages throughout summer, posing ongoing risks to public health, agriculture, and water resources.
As Morocco confronts the realities of the Anthropocene era, where human-driven climate change reshapes life and landscapes, meteorological officials and health experts alike are calling for sustained government action, scientific innovation, and citizen preparedness.
“Heatwaves are no longer anomalies,” warns Youabbad. “They are part of our new climate reality—and we must be ready.”
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