People in Taounate could face fewer road disruptions during the coming winter as authorities prepare to repair damage caused by floods in 2025 and get roads ready for bad weather. The government has allocated 85 million dirhams ($8.5m) for repair work in the northern province in 2026. Public tenders have been launched, and work is expected to start as soon as possible, the provincial director of equipment, transport and logistics, Hicham Chabbi, said on Monday.
The announcement followed the first meeting of the Provincial Vigilance Committee, chaired by provincial governor Abdelkrim El Ghannami.
The funding comes under an agreement between the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Equipment, through the Natural Disaster Fund (FLCN). The programme supports people affected by floods in northern and western parts of the country.
Alongside the repairs, officials are preparing for heavy rain, floods, landslides, mudslides and snow that could block roads and cut off rural communities.
The provincial directorate has checked its available vehicles and equipment and identified roads most likely to be affected by bad weather. It says these preparations will help emergency teams respond more quickly.
One priority is Provincial Route 5036, which links Tahar Souk to Tamchach. Snowploughs have been positioned along the road so they can be deployed when needed.
Preparations also cover Regional Route 419, connecting Ourtzagh to Ghafsai, and National Route 8, where work to widen the road into a dual carriageway is under way.
Mr Chabbi said the directorate was ready to mobilise its staff, vehicles and logistical resources to limit the effects of severe weather on traffic.
He said the measures followed royal directives to reduce the risks posed by natural disasters, as well as instructions from the Ministry of the Interior.
Taounate lies in the mountainous pre-Rif region of northern Morocco, where heavy rain can trigger floods and landslides. Snow can also make roads difficult to use during winter, disrupting access to markets, health services and other essential facilities.
The authorities say their preparations aim to keep traffic moving and improve road safety during severe weather.
