SAFI, Morocco, December 16, 2025: Flash floods triggered by intense rainfall have killed at least 21 people in Morocco’s coastal province of Safi, authorities said on Monday, as emergency crews continued operations to locate survivors and assess the scale of destruction across the region. Officials confirmed that heavy rains over the weekend caused sudden flooding in Safi, a port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast located about 330 kilometers south of Rabat. The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, sending torrents of water through the city’s narrow streets and inundating homes, shops, and vehicles in several districts. The Moroccan Interior Ministry reported that 21 bodies had been recovered and at least 32 people were injured, most of whom have since been treated and discharged from hospitals.
Civil protection units, police, and military personnel have been deployed throughout the province to assist with rescue efforts and help residents affected by the flooding. Authorities said approximately 70 homes and commercial properties sustained significant damage, and several major roads in and out of Safi were cut off by floodwaters, complicating access for emergency responders. Drone footage released by local media showed cars submerged in muddy water and debris strewn across streets as crews worked to clear blocked routes. Residents described how the floodwaters rose within minutes following a burst of torrential rain late Sunday afternoon. Witnesses reported that water levels in some parts of the city climbed rapidly, engulfing ground floors and sweeping away parked vehicles. Authorities have since urged residents to remain indoors and avoid low-lying areas as cleanup and safety operations continue.
The Moroccan meteorological service said the rainfall in Safi and neighboring provinces was unusually heavy for this time of year, exceeding monthly averages within just a few hours. The storms also affected parts of the Marrakesh-Safi and Casablanca-Settat regions, leading to temporary power outages and transport disruptions. Local authorities have suspended classes in schools within the hardest-hit neighborhoods as a precautionary measure. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has been briefed on the situation and instructed the relevant ministries to coordinate relief efforts. Emergency shelters have been established to house displaced families, while teams from the Ministry of Equipment and Water are assessing structural damage to bridges and public infrastructure. The Health Ministry has also mobilized medical personnel to provide assistance in affected zones.
Infrastructure and road networks heavily affected in Safi
The flooding in Safi follows a series of extreme weather events across Morocco in recent months, underscoring the growing challenges of managing heavy rainfall after years of prolonged drought. Experts note that dry, compacted soil conditions in drought-affected regions can increase runoff and intensify flash flooding when sudden storms occur. Meteorological forecasts indicate that additional rain may fall in parts of central and western Morocco over the coming days, although no new warnings were issued for Safi as of Monday evening. As search and recovery operations continue, officials have not ruled out the possibility of revised casualty figures as assessments progress. Power restoration and infrastructure repair remain priorities for local authorities seeking to restore normalcy to the region. The government has pledged support for victims’ families and financial assistance for rebuilding efforts once immediate rescue operations conclude.
Emergency shelters open for displaced Safi residents
The Safi floods mark one of the deadliest natural disasters in Morocco this year, highlighting the country’s increasing vulnerability to sudden, intense storms. Emergency response teams remain on high alert, with the Interior Ministry confirming that rescue work and damage evaluations are ongoing in coordination with regional and national agencies. Authorities are also reviewing the resilience of urban infrastructure and drainage networks in flood-prone areas to prevent similar disasters in the future. Local governments have been directed to strengthen early warning systems and improve emergency preparedness measures, particularly in coastal and mountainous regions where flash floods can develop within minutes. The government has emphasized that restoring essential services and ensuring the safety of residents remain its immediate priorities. – By Content Syndication Services.