Morocco heatwave prompts health warning and public safety measures

Morocco’s Ministry of Health has issued a nationwide alert as a severe Morocco heatwave pushes temperatures to dangerous levels across several regions of the country. Authorities are urging residents to take preventive measures and pay special attention to vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, pregnant women, and people living with chronic illnesses.

The ministry called on the public to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and to maintain regular hydration throughout the day. People whose work requires outdoor activity have been advised to increase water intake and reduce exposure to extreme temperatures whenever possible.

Officials also recommended limiting outdoor activities during the hottest period of the day, particularly between noon and 4 p.m. Residents have been encouraged to remain in cool or well ventilated environments, wear light clothing, and avoid unnecessary physical exertion.

The warning comes as several Moroccan provinces experience temperatures ranging from 43 to 46 degrees Celsius. Meteorological forecasts indicate that unusually high temperatures will also affect areas that typically record milder summer conditions.

Health authorities stressed the importance of checking on elderly relatives and individuals with medical conditions to ensure they remain hydrated and protected from heat related risks.

The ministry warned that symptoms such as high fever, severe fatigue, dizziness, headaches, excessive thirst, muscle cramps, confusion, unusual drowsiness, skin redness, or agitation may signal serious heat related illness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care at the nearest healthcare facility.

To address the situation, the ministry announced the activation of a national response plan aimed at limiting the health impact of the Morocco heatwave. Measures include enhanced health monitoring, reinforcement of emergency departments, securing medical supplies, maintaining healthcare services, and expanding public awareness campaigns.

Recent weather forecasts indicate that the heatwave will also affect regions including Rabat, where temperatures are expected to range between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius during the week, underscoring the broad geographic reach of the extreme weather event.