logo-b81fc6af2faedb728fbd5fa5eeed23730c5b8be653318097907f3f0a5adbc5a6
Click for a Unique Window into the Untouched Amazon Waterway: Watch Live Now! (Courtesy of Junglekeepers)

Northwest Morocco Flood Update: Loukkos and Sebou River Levels Rising in Ksar El Kebir, Sidi Kacem

Current monitoring shows water levels nearing bank-full at the Oued El Makhazine Dam and the Loukkos River basin as of February 2, 2026. While the massive influx of water has effectively ended a seven-year regional drought, the sudden saturation of the Loukkos and Sebou floodplains has left thousands of residents and critical agricultural hubs underwater—leaving many to wonder if the current drainage infrastructure can withstand the next wave of Atlantic storms.
Love this cover artwork? Check out the 5 alternatives above the comment section below.

Table of Contents

At a Glance

The Loukkos and Sebou Rivers in Northwest Morocco are currently experiencing severe flooding, with the Loukkos River under a maximum alert level due to controlled dam releases and historic rainfall.

Status & Severity

River levels remain at critical stages following the Oued El Makhazine Dam reaching 100% capacity; emergency controlled releases are currently cresting downstream. While water levels in some urban areas began a slow recession over the weekend, authorities remain on high alert as further rainfall is forecasted through the week.

Affected Communities & Regions

  • Ksar El Kebir: The hardest-hit urban center with multiple neighborhoods inundated and 20,000+ residents displaced.

  • Sidi Kacem Province: Significant evacuations in the communes of Al Haouafate, Sidi El Kamel, and Ermilate.

  • Larache Province: Rural agricultural zones and low-lying douars experiencing widespread crop loss.

  • Sidi Ahmed Cherif: Residents recently rescued via helicopter due to rising levels from the Al-Wahda Dam.

  • Larache City (Periphery): Monitoring continue near western entrance roads.

Local Landmarks & Interest

  • Oued El Makhazine Dam: The primary focal point of water management and recent discharge operations.

  • Abdeslam Laghrissi Stadium: Currently serving as a major emergency shelter hub with over 100 waterproof tents for displaced families.

  • National Road No. 1: Connectivity between Souk El Arbaa and Ksar El Kebir has been intermittently severed by rising Loukkos flows.

Data Sources & Verification

Information compiled from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the Loukkos River Basin Agency, local station data in the Larache and Sidi Kacem regions, and verified reports from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

Historical Comparison

This event is currently the most significant hydrological surge the region has seen since 2018, marking a dramatic shift from the record-breaking drought conditions of the previous seven years. Check our archives for more Northwest Morocco river data.

Regional Context

The 2026 floods in Northwest Morocco represent a violent “hydrological whiplash.” Following nearly a decade of record-breaking drought, the region has been hit with weeks of torrential Atlantic storms, filling the Sebou and Loukkos basins beyond their operational limits. While the surge has boosted national dam-filling rates to over 60%, the human cost is mounting. To understand why modern cities like Ksar El Kebir and Sidi Kacem are increasingly vulnerable to these sudden shifts, explore The River Mixer’s Guide to Human-Driven Flooding: How Engineering and Urban Planning Shape Our Rivers to learn how infrastructure can inadvertently amplify flood risks.

Related Content
Don't miss a drop.
Sign up for new river alerts! We're continually expanding our collection with amazing waterways from around the globe. If you're searching for a specific river to enhance your craft, spiritual or research practices, subscribe to stay informed.
subscribe
Editor's note

This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.

Featured Friends
GDACS.
The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) is a powerful, multi-agency framework established as a joint initiative between the United Nations and the European Commission. It serves as a vital real-time monitoring hub that provides rapid alerts and impact assessments for major natural disasters, including earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and significant river floods. By combining satellite imagery, scientific modeling, and on-the-ground reports, GDACS offers a centralized dashboard that helps international aid organizations and local governments coordinate their emergency responses during the critical first hours of a crisis.
featured
our river collection
Crossword Puzzle

Collection Map
Let's Celebrate.
Travel the world, one river at a time. Explore our map and follow us as we collect precious rivers. Become part of the story by owning your own drops of history.
map
River Clips
Collection Videos.
Trace the origins of our extraordinary river water collection. Watch captivating video clips that capture the breathtaking birthplaces of these rivers.
videos
Be a River Guardian
recent posts
History
Sidi Mubarak Bombay: 10 Facts About the River King Who Led a Lost John Hanning Speke to the Source of the Nile

While the history books obsession over ink-on-paper maps, the true story of the Nile was written in silt and cedar. Behind every ‘discovery’ claimed by the Victorian elite was Sidi Mubarak Bombay, a man who translated the roar of the rapids into a path forward. It’s time to look past the brass compasses and see the man who actually held the paddle.

Read More »
News
Spain Flooding Emergency: Hozgarganta River Levels Rising in Jimena de la Frontera, Andalusia

Current monitoring shows water levels at the Hozgarganta River significantly overtopping banks at the Puente de la Pasada de Alcalá as of January 28, 2026. While the heavy rainfall from Storm Joseph begins to transition, the sudden surge has trapped residents in the low-lying Campo de Gibraltar region, leaving many to wonder if the crest has truly passed or if the merging of nearby Atlantic fronts will trigger a second wave of flooding

Read More »
Outdoors
The River Mixer’s Guide to River Figures: Defining the Explorers, Protectors, Challengers, Storytellers, and Locals

Most people see the river as a backdrop, but to a River Mixer, it’s a physical system of moving parts. Whether it’s a navigator pushing a hull into an unmapped tributary or a protector anchoring a trash boom against the current, every person on the water fits into a specific role. This is a breakdown of the five archetypes shaping our waterways—the explorers, protectors, and locals who know the river better than anyone else.

Read More »
Alternative Covers

We had multiple art options for this post’s cover, but only one could make the cut. Here are 5 runner-ups. Did we choose the right one?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.