From a Village to an Isolated Island: Floods Change the Features of Lakfifat in Morocco
The village of Lakfifat in western Morocco has become an isolated island due to unprecedented floods that have drastically changed the area.
Residents of Lakfifat, a village in western Morocco, never expected their community to transform into an isolated island due to the exceptional floods that have swept through four provinces in the kingdom. Only weeks ago, the village faced severe drought, with wells running dry, but recent flooding has dramatically altered the landscape, making accessibility nearly impossible.
Many families have been forced to leave their homes inundated with water, relocating to the al-Himamis camp that the authorities established about 22 kilometers away from the village. Those who chose to remain are now facing dire conditions as the community grapples with a complete lack of water and electricity, as well as significantly poor internet connectivity, leading to a deteriorating situation that is unprecedented for the residents.
Between January 28 and February 14, the provinces of Kenitra (west), Larache (north), Sidi Kassem, and Sidi Slimane (northwest) experienced widespread flooding, particularly in the city of Ksar al-Kebir in Larache province, triggered by the overflowing of the "Wadi al-Makhazin" dam, which reached 156% capacity. The aftermath shows the pressing nature of climate challenges and their impact on local communities, underscoring the need for urgent assistance and infrastructural resilience.