Dramatic scenes... Chichaoua under a "barrage" of hail and heavy rain!

The city of Chichaoua and its surrounding areas in the Marrakech-Safi region experienced a sudden and powerful thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rainfall and a dense hailstorm (tabrouri), which covered the streets and alleys with a white layer and caused heavy rainwater runoff and flash floods. These scenes were captured by residents and shared through videos and live streams.

This storm is the result of the formation of giant cumulonimbus clouds caused by thermal contrast and the interaction between warm surface air masses and cold air masses in the upper atmosphere.

In light of these rapidly evolving weather conditions and the issuance of orange-level alerts, urgent appeals were issued to residents and road users to exercise the utmost caution and avoid non-essential travel while the storm is at its peak.

The guidelines also emphasized the need to stay away from riverbeds and ravines, to avoid attempting to cross flooded road sections, to reduce speed while driving, and to take precautions to protect property and livestock.