Ministry of Transport Raises Readiness of Transport System to Tackle Extraordinary Floods
Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics, chaired an urgent meeting to review the measures and actions taken by the ministry and its affiliated institutions to manage transportation and logistics services amid the exceptional weather conditions affecting several areas in the kingdom, particularly the city of Ksar El Kebir, which has experienced flooding that inundated several neighborhoods.
Central directors of various components of the transport system attended this meeting, alongside heads and directors of public institutions and agencies under the ministry’s oversight, including the National Office of Railways, the National Agency for Road Safety, and the National Company for Transport and Logistics, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, with the aim of assessing the status of the relevant water facilities and coordinating the necessary actions.
During the meeting, the Minister of Transport and Logistics emphasized the need to respond to this extraordinary situation with procedures that ensure the continuity and safety of transportation services in various forms for citizens, especially in the affected areas in the north of the kingdom.
Kayouh called for enhanced mobilization and readiness in anticipation of any decisions that local authorities might make, particularly regarding the possible evacuation of residents from certain flood-affected neighborhoods, by providing a sufficient number of buses and necessary transport means.
He also stressed the importance of considering the continuity of risk, especially under the expectation of heavy rainfall and increased water inflow at several dams in the coming days, urging all stakeholders in land, maritime, and air transport to maintain coordination and vigilance.
Present officials provided an overview of the interventions completed and proactive measures adopted to ensure the safety of the transport system and its readiness to participate in any strategies that the authorities might implement concerning this severe weather situation.
In this context, Bahija Bousta, Director of Road Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, confirmed that the ministry has mobilized its various departments and coordinated with local authorities to address the situation, whether by providing buses for potential evacuation operations or by monitoring their operations to ensure the safety of road users.
For his part, Tarek Talabi, Director General of Civil Aviation, clarified that Saniyya Raml Airport in Tetouan has been flooded, leading to its temporary closure to air traffic until midnight on January 31, noting that measures have been taken to drain the water and create a task force to explore immediate and future solutions.
Talabi added that all scheduled flights to and from Tetouan Airport have been rerouted to Tangier Airport until the reopening of the former.
Regarding maritime transport, Youssef Hamid, Head of the Maritime Transport Department at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, reported that recent weather disturbances have caused congestion and delays in some voyages, emphasizing the establishment of a monitoring cell to track the situation and urging shipping companies to increase transport capacity and utilize periods of improved navigation conditions.
The same speaker indicated that the Maritime Navigation Control Center in Tangier continues to monitor the movement of vessels traversing the Strait of Gibraltar, especially those carrying hazardous materials, to ensure compliance with safety regulations and uphold navigation security.
