Morocco Evacuates 50,000 from Ksar el-Kebir Floods

Moroccan authorities have evacuated more than 50,000 residents from the northwestern city of Ksar el-Kebir as severe flooding from weeks of heavy rainfall and controlled dam releases overwhelmed the area, turning much of the town into a ghost town. The city, located about 190 kilometers north of Rabat, saw rising waters from the Loukkos River inundate several neighborhoods, prompting a ban on entry and the deployment of army units to aid relief efforts.

The flooding, which intensified over the weekend, stemmed from persistent rains that filled the nearby Oued Makhazine dam to capacity, leading officials to release water and exacerbate river levels. State media reported that nearly half of Ksar el-Kebir's population was affected, with evacuees relocated to relatives' homes or temporary shelters established by authorities. Electricity supplies were cut in affected districts, and schools were ordered closed until Saturday to ensure safety. Buses transported residents out of the city, while only outbound travel was permitted.

The Moroccan army, acting on instructions from King Mohammed VI, sent rescue units, trucks, medical teams, and equipment to support operations. In one...