Ksar El Kébir: Ongoing Interventions to Evacuate and Shelter People Affected by the Rising Waters of the Loukkos River

The provincial monitoring committee is coordinating ground interventions by the various military and civilian rescue and relief teams, deployed across several locations and routes within the city, in order to provide assistance to residents of the affected neighborhoods.

Taking advantage of the halt in rainfall and the partial recession of the Loukkos River on Saturday and Sunday, many families used this temporary improvement in weather conditions to plan their relocation to safer areas. At the same time, public authorities continue their tireless efforts to support citizens and residents of areas threatened by flooding.

In this context, the General Directorate of Meteorology issued an updated weather alert on Sunday, warning of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms expected from Monday through midday Tuesday, with accumulations ranging between 50 and 80 millimeters in several provinces within the Loukkos river basin, notably Ouezzane, Chefchaouen, and Larache. These conditions could lead to a renewed rise in the river’s water level.

In anticipation of these heavy rains, the Maghreb Arab Press observed on the ground awareness-raising activities carried out by public authorities, including local authorities, auxiliary forces, and security services. These actions were accompanied by practical measures aimed at supporting and guiding residents of neighborhoods exposed to flood risks, urging them to interact positively with the measures adopted, particularly the evacuation of high-risk areas and close attention to meteorological alert bulletins.

Meanwhile, the Royal Armed Forces, in coordination with local authorities, have set up several shelter centers for affected families, including two at Abdeslam Laghrissi Stadium in the Nahda neighborhood and Karim El Ahmadi Stadium in the Essalam neighborhood. These facilities are capable of accommodating hundreds of families under suitable conditions.

The establishment of these shelter centers is in line with the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. Several specialized units in rescue operations, assistance, logistical support, and medical intervention have also been mobilized to provide aid and support to the affected populations.

Waterproof tents have been installed and equipped at these centers to accommodate families forced to leave their homes due to flooding, with the provision of essential basic services in response to the exceptional situation facing the city of Ksar El Kébir.

For their part, volunteers from the Moroccan Red Crescent have spared no effort in providing assistance during this period, delivering rescue services and paramedical support to elderly people and women, while setting up first-aid units to intervene whenever necessary.

Editorial team/le7tv