This weekend, severe flooding swept through parts of Morocco and Algeria, resulting in a tragic loss of life and widespread destruction of homes and critical infrastructure. According to local authorities, more than 20 people have been confirmed dead, with dozens still missing, as rescue efforts continue in both countries to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected.
The torrential rains began late Friday evening and continued throughout the weekend, causing rivers to overflow and triggering landslides in several regions. In Morocco, the provinces of Souss-Massa and Marrakesh-Safi were among the hardest hit. Flash floods inundated homes, washed away bridges, and destroyed roads, cutting off access to several remote villages. The Moroccan government has mobilized emergency services, including the military, to assist in rescue operations and deliver relief supplies to the affected areas.
“We have never seen anything like this,” said a resident of Taroudant in the Souss-Massa region. “The water came rushing in so fast. People were trapped in their homes, and many lost everything.” Emergency shelters have been set up in schools and community centers to accommodate those displaced by the floods.
In neighboring Algeria, the situation is equally dire. The northern provinces of Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia, and Jijel bore the brunt of the storm, where heavy rains caused rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars, homes, and infrastructure. The Algerian Civil Defense reported that at least 10 people had died in Bejaia province alone, with many more missing or injured. The government declared a state of emergency in the most affected areas and has called on neighboring regions to provide assistance.
In the town of Tizi Ouzou, images of the destruction are heartbreaking. Roads have been turned into rivers of mud and debris, and families are seen wading through waist-deep water to salvage what little they can from their submerged homes. Critical infrastructure, including electricity and water supply lines, has been severely damaged, leaving thousands without power and clean drinking water.
The humanitarian impact of the floods is immense. Aid agencies are warning of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery if clean water and sanitation are not urgently restored. Relief organizations are working around the clock to provide medical assistance, food, and temporary shelter to those in need.
The governments of Morocco and Algeria have both appealed for international assistance to support rescue operations and to help rebuild devastated communities. Offers of help have begun to arrive from neighboring countries and international humanitarian organizations.
Climate experts have attributed the severity of the flooding to changing weather patterns and climate change, which have increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in North Africa. “We are witnessing more unpredictable and intense weather,” said Dr. Amina Belkacem, a climate scientist at the University of Algiers. “Governments must prioritize climate resilience and disaster preparedness to protect vulnerable communities.”
As the waters slowly recede, the full scale of the destruction is becoming clear. In both Morocco and Algeria, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and many families have lost their livelihoods. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, with rebuilding efforts expected to take months, if not years.
As both nations mourn the loss of lives and grapple with the immediate aftermath, questions are also being raised about the preparedness of their infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters. For now, the priority remains to rescue those still trapped, providing shelter and food for the displaced, and ensuring that essential services are restored as soon as possible.
