Morocco urged residents of flood-prone areas in the country’s northwestern plains to leave immediately on Wednesday, amid rising threats of inundation from heavy rain, swollen rivers and the release of more water from full dams. The number evacuated by authorities reached 108,432, the Interior Ministry said. Helicopters were deployed in rescue operations as rising waters inundated fields and villages across the northwest. The army has been deployed since Friday to help with evacuations amid a red alert for more heavy rainfall this week. Northwestern Morocco, known as the Gharb region, is a key wheat-producing region made of low-lying plains that drain poorly after weeks of heavy rain and due to lack of slope. Rainfall in Morocco is up 215% from last year and 54% above the historical average, official data showed.

Full report : Morocco urges residents to leave flood-risk areas as evacuations exceed 108,000.