WEB DESK: At least 37 people were killed in flash floods triggered by torrential rains on Sunday in Morocco’s Atlantic coastal province of Safi, 330 kilometres (205 miles) south of the capital Rabat, Morocco’s state-run 2M TV reported on Monday.
Fourteen people were receiving medical care after the floods, it added, citing local authorities.
One hour of heavy rain was enough to flood homes and shops in the old town of Safi, sweeping away cars and cutting off many roads in surrounding areas, as rescue efforts continued, it reported.
Morocco is experiencing heavy rain and snowfall on the Atlas Mountains following seven years of drought that emptied some of its main reservoirs.
The General Directorate of Meteorology noted that 2024 marked the hottest year on record for Morocco, with rainfall registering nearly 25% below average.
Typically, Moroccan autumns are characterized by a steady cooling of temperatures. However, climate change has disrupted weather patterns, intensifying storms. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture, while warmer seas can amplify these systems significantly.
