Severe weather system floods Morocco, heads toward France and Italy

The heaviest storms to hit southern Morocco in decades caused flash floods in much of the south at the foot of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, after three days of intense rainfall. Some areas received around 250 mm (10 inches) of rain in just a few hours.

Around 100 homes (mostly mud-brick) were partly or totally destroyed in the south, and 100 roads cut off, including six national highways. Severe weather conditions caused at least 32 deaths and six missing. 11 bodies were recovered from high waters near Talmaadart River in the Guelmim region on the edge of the Sahara desert. In surrounding areas, including Ouarzazate and Marrakesh, cars and trees were swept away by the raging waters. Tamsourt River in Guelmim also burst its banks.

The weather calmed down, but dangerously high river levels still remain a major concern. New round of heavy storms is expected to hit the same areas in Morocco around November 28 through November 29.

Ensemble GFFS precipitation forecast. (Credit: Meteociel)

The severe weather system that hit Morocco is now heading north and is expected to bring yet more heavy rain to parts of France and Italy, already affected by major flooding earlier this month. Rainfall amounts of around 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) have been forecast for south-eastern France and northern Italy over the next 2 days.

Featured image: Flooded road near Bouizegrane (Credit: MoroccoWorldNews)