Extreme Rains Force Mass Evacuations in Morocco and Highlight Global Climate Crisis. FEB 9, 2026
- Ana Cunha-Busch
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
Extreme Rains Force Mass Evacuations in Morocco and Highlight Global Climate Crisis
Over 140,000 people were forced to leave their homes in northwestern Morocco after days of intense rainfall combined with water releases from overfilled dams. The flooding affected entire towns, disrupted public services, caused landslides, and left communities isolated, according to authorities and local reports.
The Moroccan Interior Ministry stated that 143,164 people were evacuated urgently. In some areas, like Ksar El Kebir, up to 85% of the population left the town, leaving it nearly deserted. Schools and universities were closed, and the army was deployed to evacuate residents from the hardest-hit areas and set up temporary shelters.
Rising water levels in rivers like Loukkous and Sebou inundated neighborhoods, forced road closures, and halted train services. Footage from the ground showed damaged homes and landslides in rural towns like Bni Zid, while bulldozers worked to clear debris and restore access.
Although the heavy rains ended a seven-year drought, providing much-needed water for the nation, they also caused dam overflows, crop damage (including avocados, potatoes, and olives), disrupted port operations, and delayed shipments.
The Moroccan Water Ministry reported that controlled water releases from dams were necessary, including the discharge of over 372 million cubic meters of water from the Oued Al Makhazine dam near Ksar El Kebir.
In the past six months, Morocco recorded 150 millimeters of rainfall, surpassing the annual average by 32.5%. The country’s meteorological directorate described the conditions as “exceptional” and issued a red alert for upcoming heavy rainfall.
“Almost everyone left,” said a resident who sought refuge with relatives. He noted that those without family in other towns found shelter in facilities set up by authorities.
“The fear now is the dam, which has surpassed its maximum capacity … and the rain is still pouring heavily,” he added.
Officials reported that the Oued Al Makhazine dam, with a capacity of over 672.8 million cubic meters, had exceeded that limit by about 46%.
Rising water levels in the Sebou River also led to partial road closures, flooded neighborhoods, and halted train services, local media reported
.
Europe Also Struggles with Extreme Weather
While North Africa faced historic floods, the Iberian Peninsula was hit by another type of disaster. Storm Leonardo struck Portugal and Spain with persistent rainfall and strong winds, causing river overflows, landslides, and fatalities.
In Portugal, the Douro River overflowed in urban areas, affecting the Porto metropolitan region. In the southern part of the country, riverside towns like Alcácer do Sal experienced floods up to two meters high, leaving areas submerged for days. At least one death was confirmed, and thousands of people were displaced.
In Spain, particularly in Andalusia, rainfall levels reached what would normally be accumulated over months or even a year in just a few days. More than 11,000 people were evacuated, and municipalities declared states of emergency. Experts attribute the storm to the presence of an atmospheric river, a corridor of moisture that transports large amounts of water vapor from the tropics to higher latitudes — a phenomenon that is becoming more frequent in a warming world.
Heat and Fire in the Southern Hemisphere
In the southern hemisphere, the problem took another form. In Australia, a combination of extreme heat, strong winds, and dry vegetation elevated the risk of wildfires to critical levels. In some regions, temperatures approached 50°C, prompting authorities to issue maximum fire danger alerts.
States like South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania declared preventive emergency measures, canceling outdoor events and bolstering firefighting teams. Experts warn that these conditions — prolonged heat waves followed by strong winds — are becoming more common, extending the fire season and amplifying impacts on communities, biodiversity, and air quality.
A Repeating Pattern
From floods in North Africa to storms in Europe and wildfires in Oceania, the events of this week underscore a well-known pattern: the intensification, frequency, and simultaneity of extreme climate events.
While no single incident can be solely attributed to climate change, studies indicate that global warming increases the atmosphere’s capacity to hold moisture, intensifies heavy rainfall, prolongs heat waves, and creates conditions that are more conducive to large-scale wildfires.
For experts, the recent events are a clear signal that the climate crisis is no longer a distant projection but a present reality, challenging water management systems, urban infrastructure, food production, and adaptation policies worldwide.
The Green Amazon News – International
This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.
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