Severe flooding driven by extreme weather patterns has caused significant loss of life and displacement in Morocco and Bolivia, underscoring the growing impacts of climate-linked storms and changing weather dynamics around the world.
In Morocco’s Atlantic coastal province of Safi, at least 37 people have died after torrential rainfall triggered flash floods that swept through communities, inundated homes and businesses, and blocked vital roads, authorities said.
Meanwhile in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz region, floodwaters from an overflowing river have claimed 20 lives, with dozens still missing and hundreds of families displaced as rescue teams continue to reach isolated areas.
What Happened in Morocco
Morocco faced sudden and intense rainfall leading to flash floods that overwhelmed infrastructure in Safi and surrounding areas, where cars were swept away and roads cut off after just a short period of heavy rain.
Local authorities reported that dozens of rescue operations remain underway as emergency services work to assist affected residents still grappling with the immediate aftermath of the flooding.
Bolivia’s Rising Toll
In eastern Bolivia, heavy rain caused the Pirai River to overflow, devastating communities in its path and leaving at least 20 people dead, officials said. Dozens are still unaccounted for, and more than 2,100 families have been affected by the widespread flooding that submerged homes and infrastructure.
Bolivian authorities have mobilized rescue teams — including by helicopter — to assist residents and retrieve those trapped by rising waters.
Climate Links and Broader Context
Meteorologists and climate scientists have pointed to a combination of El Niño and La Niña effects, as well as rising sea surface temperatures, as contributing factors behind the unusually intense rainfall that has fueled flooding events across multiple regions.
Across the globe, similar weather extremes have prompted emergency responses — from flash flood warnings in parts of the United States to heavy rain alerts in the United Kingdom, as governments and aid agencies monitor conditions linked to climate variability.
