Morocco flood evacuees mark muted Ramadhan

KENTIRA: During the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan, families traditionally gather over joyous feasts to break the daytime fast. But the floods that battered northwestern Morocco in recent weeks have left evacuees like Habachi with little to celebrate. ' Just before sunset, women gathered around small stoves. They made do with no running water, and soon the smell of grilled fish wafted through the site. The families then retreated to their tents for Iftar, with candles providing light for lack of electricity.
The heavy downpours have displaced over 180,000 people as of last week, authorities said, with at least four people killed. Most evacuees in the region have been allowed to return home, but that was not yet an option for Habachi and his children. The camp managers serve each family water and a bag of rice per day. Several homes showed signs of flooding, with walls torn open and floors soaked. Families had left their belongings stored on top of wardrobes out of fear the water could rise again. — AFP