Amid relentless rainfall and rising waters in Ksar El-Kebir, authorities have been compelled to forcibly evacuate families refusing to leave their homes, as the Loukkos River threatens to engulf the area. Despite the challenges, local officials and aid organizations are rallying to provide shelter and support, highlighting the urgent need for psychological aid for those displaced by the crisis. DR ‹ › After exhausting all awareness and persuasion efforts, local authorities in Ksar El-Kebir were ultimately forced to intervene and evacuate several families from their homes, racing against time to prevent the worst. The operation comes amid continuous heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Loukkos River, while a number of residents continued to refuse evacuation despite the imminent danger. Families Sheltering in Homes Hamper Rescue Efforts In this context, Zineb Simo, a municipal councilor in Ksar El-Kebir and an MP for the Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima region, told Yabiladi that authorities had been compelled in recent hours to evacuate families who repeatedly refused to leave their homes. Simo said there is currently no precise figure for the number of people sheltered, as evacuation operations are still ongoing. She noted that authorities faced major difficulties in convincing some residents to move to designated shelters. «Some residents explicitly refused to leave their homes, stating that they were ready to face death inside their houses. This placed authorities in a highly complex humanitarian and security situation», she said. The parliamentarian added that some families went as far as locking themselves inside their homes and switching off their phones, making it difficult for intervention teams to confirm whether the houses were empty. Despite these challenges, Simo praised the extensive efforts deployed by authorities, noting that buses and other transport means were made available along the road leading to the Moulay Ali Boughaleb area to assist residents wishing to relocate temporarily to other cities where relatives live. Call for Psychological Support for the Affected Meanwhile, Nawal Filali, president of the Yallah Ntaawno association, which is active on the ground, said she has been receiving calls since early morning from families stranded on rooftops after previously refusing to evacuate. She explained that some families insisted on staying in their homes out of fear for their livestock, describing the situation as difficult to comprehend. Others chose to leave the city and rent temporary accommodation, only to face exploitation by some landlords who raised rental prices amid the crisis. Filali said all shelter centers are being managed by the Royal Armed Forces, including tents installed at the large proximity stadium, as well as several educational institutions that have been equipped to receive displaced families. Food, drinking water, and essential services are being provided. She stressed that those affected are in urgent need of psychological support, given the shock caused by the sudden displacement of many families. She also emphasized that civil society's role remains crucial alongside official interventions to mitigate the humanitarian and psychological impact of the crisis. Ksar El-Kebir has been grappling with severe flooding for several days due to persistent and heavy rainfall across the region, which has led to an unprecedented rise in the Loukkos River's water levels, flooding several low-lying neighborhoods and threatening others with isolation.
