On Wednesday, October 29, the city of Tangier recorded 36 mm of rainfall, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology. This volume of rain was sufficient to expose the state of infrastructure in several neighborhoods that recently underwent multiple renovation projects costing millions of dirhams.
Rainwater flooded roads and streets in areas such as Magouga, Al-Aouama, Tangier Al-Balia, Boukhalef, Ben Makada, and the vicinity of the Grand Stadium, as the sewage systems failed to handle the water flow. It was evident that the infrastructure in these locations was ill-equipped to prevent water accumulation, leading to the formation of “ponds” in residential areas from just 36 mm of rain.
Residents of the affected areas faced additional hardships, including the explosion of several sewage manholes, causing contaminated water to mix with rainwater. Social media users shared videos of black, foul-smelling water flowing through alleys and streets, highlighting a situation more befitting slums rather than a city preparing to host the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
While some attribute this disastrous condition solely to “harsh” weather conditions and attempt to justify it, the reality lies in the fragility of urban planning and superficial management. Each time a few millimeters of rain falls, the vulnerability of the infrastructure is laid bare, revealing flaws in projects that were launched with much fanfare but little oversight.
It is unreasonable for entire neighborhoods to flood from 36 mm of rain in a city like Tangier, which is presented as an economic and tourist hub for Morocco. In contrast, the same amount of rain in cities with effective drainage systems, including functional sewers, pumps, and green areas to absorb water, passes by without significant issues.
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