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Morocco’s French Weather Alerts Spark Controversy Amid Deadly Floods
Wednesday 11 September 2019, by
The Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water insists on drafting its weather alerts in French, even though they are not understood by the majority of Moroccans. According to observers, this could explain the growing number of victims of floods in recent times.
The Hespress website questions the effectiveness of weather alerts in French, which remain incomprehensible to the population while floods continue to claim victims.
Describing these remarks as "exaggerated", the Ministry argues that weather bulletins are not intended for the general public but rather for its regional directorates, Civil Protection and Local Authorities.
While attributing the responsibility for the accidents to the citizens, the Ministry adds that the communication of weather alerts should respect the topography of the areas, which will determine the size of the river floods and the level of flooding.
"I have personally witnessed scenes where citizens have insisted on crossing Oueds, even though they have been warned that the water level could rise at any time because they do not assess the seriousness of the alerts and risk their lives," said a source at the Ministry.