Northern Morocco faces floods that expose deep public policy failures

Yesterday 10:20

By: Sahili Aya

Northern Morocco faces floods that expose deep public policy failures

Recurrent flooding across northern Morocco has moved beyond the realm of exceptional weather events and now reflects a deeper structural crisis in public policy. Weeks of heavy and persistent rainfall have once again affected several cities, revealing long-standing weaknesses in urban planning, land management, water governance and territorial coordination.

While climate change has intensified extreme rainfall, its most damaging effects are felt in areas where urban growth has been poorly regulated. In many northern cities, rapid and fragmented urbanisation has led to the sealing of soils, the disappearance of natural floodplains and construction in riverbeds, significantly increasing vulnerability to floods.

Insufficient stormwater drainage systems, outdated infrastructure and the lack of retention basins mean that even moderate rainfall can trigger widespread urban disruption. These shortcomings point to an urban development model that prioritised real estate expansion over environmental resilience and collective safety.

The situation is further complicated by limited investment in essential public services. Despite visible urban development, spending on sewage networks, waste management and sustainable transport remains inadequate. Weak public transport systems and poor intermodal connectivity continue to hinder coherent territorial planning.

Institutional fragmentation also plays a role. Local authorities often lack the technical and financial capacity to manage complex urban risks, while coordination between sectors and levels of government remains limited. As a result, public resources are not always directed toward priority infrastructure capable of reducing long-term vulnerability.

International experiences show that alternative paths are possible. Countries facing similar challenges have invested in integrated water management, flood-resilient urban design and transparent governance mechanisms. These examples highlight the importance of long-term vision, technical expertise and accountability.

For northern Morocco, the challenge is not only technical but also political and institutional. Building resilient territories will require rethinking urban policy around sustainability, social equity and climate adaptation. Without such reforms, flooding will continue to be treated as an emergency rather than the symptom of a fragile urban model in urgent need of transformation.