Water levels in the Loukkos River rose sharply on Monday, driven by increased discharges from the Oued Al Makhazine dam after the reservoir reached near-record capacity following heavy rainfall in northern Morocco.
As of 6 p.m., floodwaters were steadily advancing through several low-lying neighborhoods of Ksar El Kebir, according to observations by local media. Rising waters cut off major access roads to the city, including routes linking it to Rabat and Larache.
Flooding was particularly severe along the Larache road, where nearby residential areas were submerged. The Loukkos River also overflowed into neighborhoods close to the bridge leading toward Rabat.
Authorities warned that additional low-lying districts, including Bab Al Oued, Belabbas, Azib Al Rifai and Al Andalus, could be flooded in the coming hours as water continues to move toward the city.
Civil protection teams, gendarmes and Royal Armed Forces units were deployed across affected areas, with heavy equipment and large pumps mobilized in anticipation of further flooding.
Officials overseeing the Oued Al Makhazine dam increased water releases on Monday to manage large inflows resulting from heavy rainfall in the provinces of Chefchaouen, Ouezzane and Larache, according to informed sources. Water levels are expected to continue rising due to ongoing dam discharges and additional rainfall forecast overnight.
The developments come as authorities had been preparing to announce a timeline for displaced residents to return to their homes after days spent in shelters or temporary housing in nearby cities, including Larache, Asilah, Tangier, Tetouan, Martil and Fnideq. That decision was postponed after new weather warnings forecast further heavy rain, prompting local vigilance committees to delay the move.
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