Flood-hit northern Morocco rocked by minor earthquakes

By Ahmad Bentaher and Khalid Mejdoub

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Northern Morocco was struck by two minor earthquakes on Saturday, as large parts of the region continue to struggle with widespread flooding that has isolated towns, submerged villages, and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

The first tremor, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, was recorded in the Arbaa Taourirt area of Al Hoceima province, according to Nasser Jabour, director of Morocco’s National Institute of Geophysics. The quake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometers and caused no reported casualties or material damage.

A second tremor, measuring 2.8, was later recorded in the Tilouguite area of Azilal province, also without damage.

Jabour said dozens of weaker aftershocks were detected across various parts of the country the same day, though their intensity did not exceed two degrees and went largely unfelt by residents.

The seismic activity came as northern and western provinces remain overwhelmed by exceptional rainfall that has triggered severe flooding since late January, cutting off roads and surrounding entire communities with water.

According to Anadolu correspondents on the ground, several towns and villages, including Oulad Hussein near Sidi Slimane and Al-Hawafat in Sidi Kacem province, remain encircled by floodwaters, prompting the Royal Armed Forces to deliver food aid to stranded residents.

Official data show that flooding has affected the provinces of Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane after the Loukkos River overflowed, following the Al-Wahda (Oued Al-Makhazine) dam reaching 156% of its capacity for the first time.

Local journalist and environmental observer Adel Al-Aoud said several rural communities remain inaccessible days after floodwaters surged through the area, forcing authorities to evacuate residents to temporary shelters.

He said emergency teams have distributed food supplies, blankets and medicines to isolated villages, while security forces have barred civilians from attempting risky crossings near flooded zones.

On Friday, the Interior Ministry said more than 154,000 people had been evacuated from flood-affected provinces over the past 10 days, as heavy rainfall continued to complicate rescue and relief operations.

Morocco has remained on high alert for extreme weather following deadly floods that struck the western city of Safi in December 2025, killing 37 people, a disaster that continues to shape the country’s emergency response efforts.

*Writing By Tarek Chouiref