Flooding claims over 20 lives in Algeria, Morocco

Heavy rainstorms battered North Africa’s typically arid mountains and deserts over the weekend, leading to flooding that took nearly twenty lives in Algeria and Morocco while destroying homes and vital infrastructure.

In Morocco, authorities reported that the two days of storms far exceeded historical averages, with some regions receiving more rain than they would in an entire year, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

These downpours impacted areas that had suffered a devastating earthquake a year prior.

Meteorologists had warned of a rare heavy rainfall event potentially affecting the Sahara Desert, known for its extremely low annual rainfall. Moroccan officials reported that 18 people died in rural areas with historically poor infrastructure, and 56 homes collapsed. Nine people remain missing. Essential services such as drinking water and electricity were disrupted, and significant roads were damaged.

In neighbouring Algeria, which held a presidential election over the weekend, authorities said at least five died in the country’s desert provinces. Interior Minister Brahim Merad called the situation “catastrophic” on state-owned television. The government had sent thousands of civil protection and military officers to help with emergency response efforts and rescue families stuck in their homes. The floods also damaged bridges and trains.