In Morocco’s border province of Tata, summer temperatures often approaching 50°C pushing many residents to relocate until cooler autumn weather returns temporarily.
Locals say the migration has become an annual tradition, with destinations varying by income. Middle-income families often relocate to nearby semi-urban centers, such as Igherm or Agadir Melloul, while wealthier households move to coastal cities like Agadir, Tan-Tan, or Guelmim.
According to the 2024 general census, Tata’s population stands at about 111,757, a 0.53% decline since 2014.
MP Mostafa Tadoumante told Hespress that the extreme heat prompts travel within the Souss-Massa region and beyond, noting the pattern is common in other eastern border provinces.
Local association leader Boubker El Bouchari said enduring Tata’s summer is especially hard for the elderly and those with health issues.
In past years, Igherm was a preferred refuge, but water shortages there have reduced its appeal. Many residents now leave from June and return in September for the school year.
For low-income families unable to move, coping means relying on air conditioners, despite higher electricity bills. Ibrahim Baârab from Akka Ighan stressed that the seasonal migration is “not a choice but a necessity” in such harsh conditions, as living through the summer heat remains a serious challenge.
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