RABAT, Morocco 

Moroccan authorities on Thursday continued large-scale evacuation and rescue operations in flood-stricken northern provinces, while the Ministry of Equipment and Water said the country’s dam system remains stable despite unusually heavy rainfall.

An Anadolu correspondent said evacuations are ongoing in the provinces of Larache, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane in the north, as well as Kenitra in western Morocco, with residents moved to temporary shelters in nearby cities.

Flooding has persisted in the four provinces since Jan. 28, particularly in the city of Ksar El Kebir, after the Loukkos River burst its banks following the overflow of the Oued El Makhazine dam.

Official data showed the dam reached 140% of its storage capacity for the first time, triggering widespread flooding in surrounding areas.

In a statement, the Ministry of Equipment and Water said the current dam situation is “controlled and stable,” despite what it described as exceptional rainfall marked by its intensity and short duration.

The ministry said monitoring teams are closely tracking water inflows at dams with high fill levels and overseeing controlled discharge operations, taking weather forecasts into account to ensure infrastructure safety and effective water management.

On Wednesday, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said more than 108,000 people had been evacuated from the affected provinces due to floods.

Written by Tarek Chouiref