Morocco is enduring a severe heatwave, with the health ministry reporting that over 20 people have died in the past 24 hours in the central city of Beni Mellal. Temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius in various parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday, according to meteorologists.
The majority of the deceased were elderly or had chronic illnesses, and the extreme heat exacerbated their conditions. Authorities are urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak temperatures.
In Beni Mellal, located more than 200 kilometers southeast of Casablanca, temperatures remained at 43 degrees Celsius on Thursday. However, meteorologists predict a respite from the heat in the coming days, with temperatures in Marrakesh expected to drop by 10 degrees on Sunday.
This heatwave is part of Morocco’s sixth consecutive year of drought, with last winter being the hottest since 1940. The combination of high temperatures and prolonged drought has lowered reservoir levels, putting the crucial farming sector at risk.
The European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme recently reported that this past Monday was the hottest day on record globally, with predictions that climate change will continue to break daily temperature records this summer in the northern hemisphere.