Over 20 Fatalities in Morocco and Algeria Due to Flooding
Severe flooding in Morocco and Algeria has resulted in the loss of over 20 lives.
TroibNews 
Over the weekend, North Africa was subjected to unusually heavy rainfall, impacting the typically dry mountainous and desert regions of Morocco and Algeria. The intense rain led to widespread flooding, resulting in the death of nearly two dozen people in these countries, while also causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
In Morocco, the storm's rainfall over two days was unprecedented, according to officials, sometimes surpassing what would typically be expected in a whole year. This severe weather struck regions that are still recovering from a devastating earthquake that occurred last year.
Meteorologists had previously forecasted that an unusual amount of rain might fall in the Sahara Desert, one of the driest places on earth, where annual rainfall is usually less than an inch.
The consequences of the storm were particularly severe in Morocco's rural areas, with 18 fatalities reported, nine people missing, and 56 homes destroyed due to inadequate infrastructure. The floods also harmed drinking water systems, electrical networks, and major transportation routes.
"Among the dead in the region, where many tourists go to enjoy desert landscapes, were foreigners from Canada and Peru," officials noted.
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesperson for Morocco's Interior Ministry, highlighted the gravity of the situation. "The government is working to restore communication and access to flooded regions in the 'exceptional situation' and urged people to use caution," El Khalfi stated.
In Algeria, the timing of the floods coincided with a presidential election. The Interior Minister, Brahim Merad, described the aftermath as "catastrophic" in a statement made on state television. At least five people were reported dead in the desert provinces of Algeria.
Additionally, Algerian state media reported that the government deployed thousands of civil protection and military personnel to aid in emergency responses and to rescue families trapped in their homes. Infrastructure such as bridges and train services also suffered damages due to the flooding.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
In Morocco, the storm's rainfall over two days was unprecedented, according to officials, sometimes surpassing what would typically be expected in a whole year. This severe weather struck regions that are still recovering from a devastating earthquake that occurred last year.
Meteorologists had previously forecasted that an unusual amount of rain might fall in the Sahara Desert, one of the driest places on earth, where annual rainfall is usually less than an inch.
The consequences of the storm were particularly severe in Morocco's rural areas, with 18 fatalities reported, nine people missing, and 56 homes destroyed due to inadequate infrastructure. The floods also harmed drinking water systems, electrical networks, and major transportation routes.
"Among the dead in the region, where many tourists go to enjoy desert landscapes, were foreigners from Canada and Peru," officials noted.
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesperson for Morocco's Interior Ministry, highlighted the gravity of the situation. "The government is working to restore communication and access to flooded regions in the 'exceptional situation' and urged people to use caution," El Khalfi stated.
In Algeria, the timing of the floods coincided with a presidential election. The Interior Minister, Brahim Merad, described the aftermath as "catastrophic" in a statement made on state television. At least five people were reported dead in the desert provinces of Algeria.
Additionally, Algerian state media reported that the government deployed thousands of civil protection and military personnel to aid in emergency responses and to rescue families trapped in their homes. Infrastructure such as bridges and train services also suffered damages due to the flooding.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
