Morocco Officials Refute Claims of Flood Evacuee Census in Ksar El Kebir

Moroccan Authorities Refute False Census Claims Regarding Flood Evacuees

Authorities in Morocco’s Tangier-Tetouan Al Hoceima region have firmly denied circulating rumors that they are conducting a census of residents evacuated from the flood-ravaged city of Ksar El Kebir.

In an official statement released this week, the regional Wilaya described these allegations as “entirely unfounded,” addressing claims that have spread widely across social media platforms in recent months.

The false information suggested that local authorities in Tangier were registering evacuees from Ksar El Kebir who had sought refuge in Tangier following severe flooding. According to these rumors, evacuees were being instructed to report to local administrative offices as part of what was described as a mandatory “administrative procedure.”

“No such procedure has been implemented by the local authorities,” the Wilaya stated emphatically, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it further. Officials emphasized the importance of relying on official and reliable sources to prevent the spread of misinformation that could cause unnecessary confusion and anxiety among affected populations.

The denial comes amid Morocco’s ongoing response to significant flooding that has affected several regions of the country. Over 150,000 citizens have been evacuated from flood-hit areas in the past two weeks alone, representing one of the largest internal displacement operations in recent Moroccan history.

These evacuations form a central component of Morocco’s broader crisis mitigation strategy as the country grapples with the aftermath of extraordinary rainfall. The northwestern regions, including Tetouan and Ksar El Kebir, have been particularly affected by overflowing rivers that have inundated residential neighborhoods and damaged critical infrastructure.

The Moroccan government has mobilized significant resources to address the humanitarian aspects of the crisis. Authorities have pledged comprehensive solidarity initiatives to support flood-affected communities, including emergency housing, humanitarian aid distribution, and psychological support services for traumatized residents.

The flood response has involved coordination between multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, civil protection units, and local authorities. Military personnel have also been deployed to assist with evacuation operations in the hardest-hit areas.

Civil society organizations have emerged as crucial partners in the relief efforts. Numerous associations are implementing grassroots initiatives to support citizens temporarily displaced from their homes. These efforts include providing warm meals, essential supplies, and coordinating temporary accommodation for those who cannot return to their damaged residences.

Climate experts note that the intensity of these floods reflects broader patterns of increasingly extreme weather events affecting North Africa. Morocco, positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, has experienced growing climate vulnerability in recent years.

“What we’re seeing in Morocco reflects global climate trends where previously rare weather events are becoming more common and more intense,” explained Dr. Mohammed Adnane, a climate scientist at Mohammed V University in Rabat. “These displacement patterns following extreme weather events may become increasingly normal.”

The flooding crisis represents a significant test for Morocco’s disaster response systems, which have been strengthened following previous natural disasters. The country has invested in early warning systems and emergency management protocols, though the scale of recent flooding has stretched these capabilities.

As recovery efforts continue, authorities maintain their focus on immediate humanitarian needs while beginning to address longer-term reconstruction requirements. The government has indicated that a comprehensive assessment of damage to housing, agriculture, and infrastructure will inform rebuilding efforts once floodwaters fully recede.