Heavy rain floods parts of Morocco’s Oriental region as more rain forecast

Heavy rain has flooded parts of Morocco’s Oriental region over the past two days, disrupting traffic and affecting homes in Oujda and Nador as more thunderstorms are forecast.

In Oujda, heavy rain Thursday evening flooded several streets after runoff from the Sidi Yahya road flowed toward Hassan II Avenue, according to local media reports. Several homes and vehicles were reportedly affected.

In Nador, Friday evening’s rainfall turned streets in the Ibouraja neighborhood into pools of water and mud, with residents reporting that some homes were surrounded by water. Residents said they had to clear water and mud themselves and complained that flooding recurs whenever it rains.

Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology has forecast thunderstorms and heavy rain in the Rif and Oriental regions through the weekend. Nador is expected to receive 20 to 30 millimeters of rain Saturday, with possible hail and strong wind gusts.

Similar conditions are forecast in Driouch, Taourirt, Al Hoceima, Taza, Tinghir and Midelt, among other areas.

In Driouch, residents are calling for preventive measures, including cleaning and improving drainage systems in flood-prone areas and clearing waterways and channels of debris and waste. They are also calling for better coordination between local authorities and the regional multiservice company to respond to flooding.

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