Moroccan cities step up preparations for heavy rains amid climate change challenges

With repeated weather alerts warning of thunderstorms and heavy rains during Morocco’s autumn transition, authorities in major cities are stepping up efforts to prepare drainage systems and infrastructure for the coming wet season.

The first rains each year often put urban infrastructure to the test, exposing weaknesses in drainage systems.

Rapid urban expansion has outpaced the capacity of sewage networks in many areas, while medium and smaller towns continue to rely on outdated, deteriorating systems.

Civil society groups say weak maintenance and a lack of preventive planning further increase the risk of flooding, recalling flash floods that struck southeastern provinces in August and September 2024.

Climate experts warn Morocco is facing more intense but shorter rainfalls, often overwhelming traditional infrastructure. “This requires innovative, sustainable solutions capable of adapting to a new and complex climate reality,” one climate specialist said.

In Rabat, city officials told Hespress AR that regular and preventive maintenance is underway under the supervision of the regional governor and the mayor, with the participation of utility company Redal.

Crews have been clearing sewage canals and storm drains across main streets and neighborhoods. Similar operations have begun in nearby Salé, where workers were seen cleaning clogged drains to prevent water accumulation.

Authorities in several large cities are also identifying “black spots” vulnerable to flooding, while accelerating major infrastructure projects such as tunnels, large drainage channels and stormwater retention basins.

Officials say lessons from past floods have guided more proactive planning.

Environmental groups, however, argue that investment remains uneven, with smaller cities and rural areas facing the worst damage due to fragile infrastructure.

“In major cities, delegated management companies follow strict maintenance contracts, making networks more resilient,” said Mostafa Aissat, an environmental expert and member of the Moroccan Civil Youth Alliance. “But in medium and small towns, networks are old, unable to absorb heavy rainfall, and often collapse under pressure.”

Aissat added that outdated bridges and rural road structures, particularly in mountainous regions, also fail to withstand torrential rains and landslides.

He called for a complete rethinking of engineering models to adapt infrastructure to local terrain and harsher weather conditions.

He also urged authorities to update contracts with delegated utility companies to ensure year-round maintenance rather than focusing only before winter. “Rainfall patterns are no longer seasonal.

Storms now occur in August and September, so Morocco needs more flexible and preventive approaches,” he said.