DR ‹ › Local authorities in Sidi Kacem province have launched wide-scale emergency operations in response to severe weather conditions marked by exceptional rainfall, which caused a significant rise in water levels in several wadis and disrupted traffic on multiple roads. All municipalities across the province have been affected, prompting the mobilization of provincial authorities, the Regional Multiservice Company (SRM), the regional directorate of Equipment and Transport, and Civil Protection services. Efforts have focused mainly on containing the overflow of Oued Sebou, whose rising waters have impacted agricultural areas in several communes. Younes Nizar, head of wastewater services at the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra SRM, said teams were deployed alongside local authorities to limit the effects of high water levels in Oued Sebou and other waterways in the Gharb region. Interventions have prioritized protecting sanitation infrastructure by preventing floodwater from entering sewer networks, using advanced pumping equipment and sealing systems to preserve network performance and safety. Rabii Drich, head of operations and sanitation services in Sidi Kacem, confirmed that preventive measures were implemented to ensure continuity of services, including cleaning sewer networks and collectors, and carrying out immediate repairs to damaged infrastructure. Sandbags and protective barriers were also installed to prevent floodwater from flowing into sanitation systems. He stressed that the situation remains stable, with technical teams on constant alert. Regarding road infrastructure, Amal Skom, a technician at the provincial directorate of Equipment, Transport and Logistics, explained that the province's flat geography, combined with heavy rainfall, caused road disruptions. Services have mobilized all human and logistical resources to maintain traffic flow. Field operations included clearing waterways, removing mud from roadways and shoulders, and installing signage and safety barriers. Teams are working 24/7 to protect road users. Tarek El-Kannach, a civil society actor in Mechraâ Bel Ksiri, described the situation as exceptional due to the rising level of Oued Sebou, the «lung of the city», while praising the strong mobilization of authorities, security forces, and Civil Protection. Despite the flooding, he noted that the rainfall is positive for agriculture after years of drought, reassuring residents that the situation remains under control thanks to continued vigilance.
