Orange alert issued in Morocco over heat wave: summary
What we know
- Morocco is experiencing a significant heat wave, with the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) issuing an orange alert. This alert warns of extreme temperatures ranging from 40 to 44 degrees Celcius across several provinces. The heatwave is expected to last from Tuesday, May 7 to Friday, May 10, 2024.
- This weather event comes as Morocco continues to struggle with a prolonged drought, now in its sixth year, which has severely impacted the country's agriculture sector, heavily reliant on rainfall.
- The heatwave is part of a broader trend of rising global temperatures, with April 2024 being the hottest on record globally, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
- The DGM's orange alert calls for increased caution and preparedness among residents, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, at higher risk of heat-related illnesses. The heatwave is also likely to exacerbate the existing drought conditions, potentially leading to water rationing and restrictions on water usage.
What they said
Country Director for Maghreb and Malta at the World Bank, Jesko Hentschel, has emphasised the importance of building resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting economic growth and reducing poverty. His remarks follow the destruction in Morocco due to an intense heat wave. "The effects of climate change are increasingly present in Morocco, where water scarcity, drought, and floods have become growing issues," stated Jesko Hentschel. Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, also remarked on the global warming trends, "If you look at the temperature, it's yet again another record-breaking month... the streak of months, record-breaking months that started last year in June is continuing and now we are at the 11th month." He highlighted the significance of the global mean average temperature increase and its impact on regions like Morocco.
