Torrential rains and flooding have left at least 11 dead and nine missing since Friday in southern Morocco, an “exceptional” weather phenomenon that also affected neighbouring Algeria, where two people swept away by the waves were searched for on the afternoon of Sunday 8 September.
The violent storms and floods left 11 dead, including 7 in Tata province, 740 kilometers southeast of Rabat, 2 in Tiznit and 2 in Errachidia, including one of unspecified foreign nationality, Interior Ministry spokesman Rachi El Khalfi said, citing a provisional report.
Nine people are also missing in the Tata, Errachidia and Taroudant areas. Heavy rains accompanied by floods and flooding have affected 17 regions and provinces of Morocco since Friday, some of which are usually semi-arid.
“The volume of rainfall recorded in two days is equivalent to what these regions normally experience in an entire year,” said the ministry spokesman.
Heavy rains in Algeria
He also announced the collapse of 40 houses across the country and damage to 93 roads, as well as to water, electricity and telecommunications networks.
In Algeria, a rainy front of similar violence hit desert areas such as the Sahara, according to images posted on social media.
According to the Algerian Civil Protection, two people are being searched for after being swept away by the floods in Tamanrasset, some 2,000 kilometres south of Algiers, and in El Bayadh, 600 kilometres south-west of Algiers. Initially, the Civil Protection announced the disappearance of one person in Tamanrasset and the death of one in Illizi, 700 kilometres south-east of Algiers.
The state agency also carried out several rescues of families trapped by overflowing rivers, notably in Illizi and Béchar.
Source: BFM TV
