Ksar El Kebir Mayor Mohamed Simo said Monday that authorities are delaying a decision on when evacuated residents can return home after updated weather forecasts warned of renewed disruptions.
Speaking to Hespress, Simo said the city’s flood monitoring committee held a key meeting earlier in the day that was expected to set a return date, but new weather alerts prompted officials to postpone the decision.
“The situation was improving before we were surprised by a new weather bulletin,” Simo said. “People need to be patient. The return will be soon, God willing, once conditions stabilize.”
He said the city remains closed and urged residents to comply with instructions issued by authorities, stressing that public safety remains the priority.
Residents of Ksar El Kebir were evacuated to safer areas in Larache, Asilah, Tangier and Tetouan after severe flooding paralyzed the city. Simo said the vigilance committee is expected to announce an official return date in the coming days if weather conditions allow.
Municipal services are continuing cleanup operations and working with private companies to clear drainage channels and ensure proper water flow in preparation for residents’ return, he said.
Simo added that local officials, including district heads, local authorities and civil protection teams, remain on constant alert and are deployed in affected areas.
He praised the efforts of all agencies involved in managing the crisis and called for continued mobilization to meet residents’ basic needs during the coming phase.
The mayor also stressed the need to facilitate the movement of trucks carrying essential goods, including vegetables, animal feed and livestock supplies, as road closures have disrupted deliveries and affected small farmers and livestock breeders.
Several farmers have complained about difficulties in supplying feed to their animals due to blocked roads, he said, noting that relief is expected soon despite ongoing uncertainty.
Although the worst of the crisis has passed thanks to preventive measures taken by authorities, Simo said conditions remain difficult. The main road linking the city to Rabat is still closed, and high water levels have caused near-total disruption of movement.
He said the ban on entering the city remains in effect to prevent further risks, warning that lifting restrictions too early could lead to greater losses of life and property.
Simo expressed confidence in state institutions and said affected traders and farmers would be compensated, as has happened in other regions hit by similar disasters.
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