By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Kingdom of Eswatini has extended its deepest sympathies to the Kingdom of Morocco following the devastating heatwave that claimed numerous lives in the city of Beni Mellal.
The Prime Minister Russell Dlamini issued a heartfelt statement on behalf of the nation, expressing solidarity and sorrow for the tragic event.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Government,
and the People of the Kingdom of Morocco following the loss of lives as a result of an intense heatwave in the city of Beni Mellal,” Prime Minister Dlamini announced.
“On behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government, and the People of the Kingdom of Eswatini, we pray that the families and relatives of the deceased are comforted during this difficult moment of great loss.”
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The heatwave in Beni Mellal has been one of the most severe in recent history, leading to widespread suffering and loss.
With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, the local infrastructure and emergency services have been overwhelmed, leaving many families devastated.
The international community has rallied to support Morocco, with messages of condolence and offers of assistance pouring in from around the globe.
The Moroccan health ministry has asserted that more than 20 people have died over the past 24 hours in the central city of Beni Mellal.
Meteorologist says temperatures reached as high as 48 degrees Celsius in some areas of the country between Monday to Wednesday.
Officials say most of those who passed away were either elderly or suffering from chronic illnesses, with the heat contributing to the deterioration of their health.
They have urged citizen to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and to avoid going outside at times of extreme heat.
In Beni Mellal, which is more than 200 kilometres southeast of Casablanca, temperatures were still as high as 43 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
But meteorologist said the heat across the country is expected to ease over the coming days. In the tourism hotspot of Marrakesh, they are expected to drop by 10 degrees.
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Media reports reveal that Morocco is experiencing its sixth straight year of drought and record heat this past winter, with January the hottest since 1940.
The rising temperatures and prolonged drought have lowered reservoir levels, threatening the vital farming sector.
The European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme said that globally, this past Monday was the hottest day recorded since measurements began.
It has previously predicted that daily records would be broken this summer in the northern hemisphere as a result of climate change.
