In brief
Heavy rainfall has resulted in flash floods that have claimed at least 37 lives in Morocco's Safi region. The floods caused significant disruption, with homes inundated and roads blocked. As rescue operations continue, survivors express their despair and call for immediate aid, highlighting the severe impact of climate change on extreme weather patterns in the country.
Flash floods have killed at least 37 people in Morocco's coastal Safi region, according to state-owned television.
Cars and mounds of rubbish were seen sweeping through the main port city of Safi after torrential rain hit on Sunday.
Dozens of people have been receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries, say local authorities, and at least 70 homes have been inundated in the old city centre.
Local reports say access to and from the city is blocked on certain roads because of damage and debris.
Residents on Sunday described it as a dark day, with one telling the AFP news agency: I've lost all my clothes. Only my neighbour gave me some to cover myself. I have nothing left. I've lost everything. Another survivor said he wanted to see government trucks at the scene to pump out the water.
Moroccan authorities say search and rescue missions are still underway. Experts state the climate crisis is in part responsible for the extreme weather fluctuations observed in the North African state.
Morocco has suffered seven years of drought in a row, depleting its reservoirs. Last year was officially the hottest ever recorded.
This latest sudden downpour is expected to continue on Tuesday, accompanied by snowfall across the Atlas mountains, warns Morocco's weather service.
