Baraka: Tafr Dam a Definitive Solution for Loukos Floods
During a field visit to the Oued Makhzen dam near Ksar al-Kebir, following the exceptional rainfall that recently affected the region, Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, confirmed that the forthcoming Tafr Dam will definitively eliminate the threat of flooding in the Loukos basin.
The minister stated that the Tafr Dam will be the largest water infrastructure in the basin, with a storage capacity of up to 900 million cubic meters. This will enable better control of the floods that recurrently threaten the area, particularly during heavy rainfall periods.
Baraka emphasized that the project represents a long-awaited strategic solution, calling for the mobilization of all stakeholders to expedite its implementation due to its significance in protecting lives and property.
However, Baraka acknowledged the field challenges hindering the project’s progress, notably the issue of land expropriation for the dam’s construction, particularly in the local communities of Wazzan. This requires resolving complex property situations.
In this context, he highlighted the crucial role of the Ministry of the Interior and local authorities in facilitating this process, stressing the need for the involvement of various actors, especially laborers, to ensure these obstacles are surmounted.
The anticipated project extends over vast areas encompassing the Wazzan and Larache provinces, and is expected to have a significant positive impact on Ksar al-Kebir, which annually faces flood threats.
Conversely, this project raises social challenges, as the expected waters will inundate significant areas containing residences and vital facilities, including schools, mosques, cemeteries, and economic structures. This necessitates a participatory approach to convince local residents, especially in the communes of Ain Bayda and Abriksha, to ensure fair and just compensation.
This initiative aligns with Morocco’s search for sustainable solutions to manage its water resources and confront climate variability, given the increasing severity of extreme phenomena, notably floods.
