Heavy rains in the Tizi n'Tichka mountainous pass, linking the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazat have made the area inaccessible for vehicles on Tuesday, 28th of August. In a video published online, netizens said they were stuck for more than three hours in the road because of the the severe thunderstorms. For movie director Kamal Hachkar, who was on site, it started raining at around 3pm. According to him, excessing Ouarzazate to take the Tizi n'Tichka road was difficult as it was «blocked». «We were hundreds to find ourselves stuck in the road, and no one warned us against the thunderstorm», Hachkar told Yabiladi on Wednesday. «There were only a few ambulances, but I did not see any law enforcement officers, only locals helped us get through», he argued. Contacted by Yabiladi, Hussein Youabed from the National Meteorology Directorate told Yabiladi on Wednesday that «thunderstorms in the area are expected to last for the rest of the week». Giving pieces of advice to people using the pass, Youabed said that they «have to, absolutely, avoid small waterways, which can at any given time drag people and even cars». When it comes to lightning, «it is primordial to stay in your car for example which is a more safe than standing under a tree or near an electric pole», said the expert.
