Floods in southern Morocco have claimed the lives of two passengers and left 14 others missing after heavy rains swept away a bus, local authorities reported on Saturday.
The floods, triggered by intense rainstorms late on Friday in Tata province, caused widespread damage, including the collapse of houses. Authorities described the flooding as “exceptional.” A total of 13 passengers were rescued from the disaster, according to a statement from local officials.
This incident follows earlier floods this month that killed at least 18 people in other regions of southern Morocco, an area that borders the Sahara Desert.
The unusual heavy rainfall comes amid Morocco’s worst drought in nearly four decades, which has severely impacted its vital agricultural sector. The country is facing significant water stress, with frequent droughts affecting one-third of the population employed in farming.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, such as storms and droughts, in Morocco and globally. For the country’s water reserves to recover, sustained rainfall over a longer period is needed to replenish dams and groundwater supplies.