Authorities, civilians grapple with Moroccan cold wave

Authorities and civil organisations grapple with Moroccan cold wave Rabat – Rachid Bougha An extreme cold wave and dry winds hitting Morocco from the North Pole were expected to intensify on Wednesday and Thursday. Authorities called on citizens in mountain areas to take precautions , particularly with young children and senior citizens, and provided military helicopters for rescue if needed.
Mohamed Balaoushi, the contact officer at the Moroccan Directorate of Meteorology in Casablanca, said: ”The cold wave is caused by a polar air mass crossing East and Central Europe, reaching North Africa.” He stated that that the nature of the polar winds reaching Morocco was dry and extremely cold.
The cold wave is expected to last till the end of this week, intensifying on Wednesday and Thursday, where temperatures are expected to reach -7 Celsius in the highlands, while snowstorms hit the north-eastern areas.
Balaoushi indicated that the minimum temperature in Morocco this February is record-breaking.
The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity released a statement saying that the assistance programme for residents affected by the cold snap will launch on Wednesday February 8 in Beni Mellal and Azilal, particularly in rugged terrains.
The programme, organised by the Armed Forces, Royal Gendarme, Interior Ministry, in contribution with Mohammad V Foundation for Solidarity, is to benefit 11000 families in 154 houses in these two regions, by supplying them with them with food and blankets.
Meanwhile, Moroccan civil society organisations began assisting the homeless and providing them with shelter, blankets, and food.