Morocco faces widespread flooding as authorities suspend schools and search for missing

Torrential rains and flash floods swept across multiple regions of Morocco over the weekend, killing at least 21 people, causing widespread property damage, and prompting school closures and large-scale emergency operations, authorities said.

The heaviest toll was reported in the coastal city of Safi, where rainfall late Sunday transformed into flash floods within minutes, inundating neighborhoods and main roads. Local authorities said the flooding, which lasted less than an hour in some areas, resulted in at least 21 deaths as water surged into homes and commercial properties.

Several injured individuals were hospitalized, with some receiving intensive care at Mohammed V Provincial Hospital.

Residents and local activists described the scale of the damage as unprecedented. Videos shared on social media showed flooded streets, trapped residents, and vehicles swept away by the rushing water.

Dozens of homes and shops, particularly in Safi’s old city around Bir Anzarane Street and Abou Dhahab Square, were submerged. At least 10 vehicles were carried off, and road access was cut to several parts of the city, including the provincial road linking Safi to the rural commune of Ahrara.

Health officials immediately activated emergency response protocols. Aziz Makhlouf, the provincial delegate of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, said a dedicated hospital wing was opened, an emergency response unit mobilized, and municipal hygiene teams deployed.

Meteorological context

The extreme weather comes as Morocco’s national meteorological services issued warnings across multiple regions. The provincial directorate of the Ministry of National Education in Tetouan announced the suspension of classes on Monday, citing Alert No. 2025/146, which warned of ongoing instability in weather conditions across the country.

Authorities stressed that the suspension, coordinated with local emergency cells, is a precaution to protect students, staff, and the public.

Similarly, southeastern provinces have been severely affected. In Tinghir province, search teams recovered one body Sunday evening after flash floods swept away a vehicle carrying three residents of Sidi Ali between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira. Two other occupants remain missing. Security forces, civil protection units, and auxiliary forces continue to search under challenging conditions, officials said.

Heavy rainfall also caused structural damage in Errachidia province. In El Jarf commune, multiple homes collapsed in the ksar of El Mengara, prompting authorities to evacuate residents and relocate them to public facilities, supplying food, medical care, blankets, and bedding. Assessments of the damage are ongoing.

Infrastructure and emergency response

In Safi, municipal authorities mobilized technical teams from the regional multi-service utility for Marrakech–Safi to maintain drainage flow and clear blockages. Equipment included vacuum trucks, pumps, transport vehicles, and dozens of field workers. Preventive cleaning operations had been conducted before the rains, with current efforts focused on real-time monitoring and intervention.

Residents also assisted in rescue operations, particularly in Safi’s old city, where volunteers helped evacuate neighbors trapped by rapidly rising water. Civil protection teams used boats to reach areas inaccessible by road.

Local activist Othmane Sihmoud said in a social media post that the disaster was partly due to infrastructure decisions. “This is not a natural disaster but a human-made one,” he wrote, referring to the closure of the Sidi Abderrahmane dam, which he said contributed to the flooding of Oued Chaaba. Authorities have not commented on the claims.

Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant as unstable weather is expected to persist in several regions. Search, rescue, and relief operations continue, with authorities emphasizing caution in flood-prone and low-lying areas.