Morocco hit again by heavy rainfall and deadly floods

New rounds of torrential rains triggered floods that have killed 11 people in Morocco so far. Several thousand homes were damaged or destroyed, roads cut and power networks damaged. At least 250 villages had been cut off. The severe weather has spread to affect parts of southern Spain, the Canary Islands and Algeria.

Strong storms lashed the south Morocco again on November 28, just a week after a violent storm system left 36 dead. Many rivers burst their banks and caused widespread damage, especially in the Guelmim region 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of Agadir, which has been declared a disaster area. Whole districts in the Guelmim region on the edge of the Sahara desert were under water after dikes were breached. Agadir received more than 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rainfall, or the equivalent of an entire year's amount.

The city of Figuig, near border with Algeria, was among worst hit. Complete city infrastructure was destroyed.

There have also been reports of huge waves along parts of Morocco’s Atlantic coastline. The severe weather system left Morocco late on December 1, 2014 and will affect southern Spain, parts of southern France, and later Italy.

Featured image: Flooded streets of Figuig city. (Credit: Moroccan Times)