DR ‹ › The city of Ksar el-Kebir endured a turbulent night as severe flooding swept through residential neighborhoods and key facilities, after the Loukkos River overflowed its banks. The incident triggered an unprecedented state of alert among local authorities and civil protection services, the likes of which had not been seen in years. According to Tanja 24, the situation worsened on Thursday morning when floodwaters inundated the Proximity Hospital at the northern entrance of the city. Water seeped into the facility, bringing services to a complete halt. As a result, the regional health delegation temporarily suspended operations and evacuated the hospital, pending the drainage of floodwaters and the safeguarding of medical equipment. The flooding is primarily attributed to the Oued El Makhazine dam reaching full capacity following exceptional rainfall. This prompted the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency to open the dam's discharge gates, significantly increasing the river's flow beyond its natural capacity. Low-lying neighborhoods, particularly Sidi Redouane, Al Manakib, and the old city quarters, were gripped by fear as water levels rose and sewage networks became overwhelmed. Authorities continued to reinforce earthen embankments and install sandbag barriers, while urging residents to remain vigilant amid concerns that weather disturbances could persist and flood risks remain high.
