Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding across several Algerian provinces throughout Saturday and Sunday. The severe weather impacted multiple regions, including Sidi Bel Abbes, Bejaia, and Bechar. Local reports indicate that rising water levels affected residential areas and infrastructure in towns such as Acharchour, Boukhelifa, and El Aricha. Emergency teams are monitoring the situation in Tlemcen, Ouled Mimoun, Sebdou, and Sidi Abdelli, while also responding to incidents in Sidi Ali Ben Youb, Boukhnifis, and Ain Thrid. Flooding was also reported in Ain El Berd, Talaagh, Marhoum, Moulay Slissen, Ben Achiba, Chilia, Sidi Ali Boussidi, and Ibn Badis. These meteorological conditions persisted throughout the weekend, creating challenging environments for local residents and emergency responders across the affected provinces.
Flash Floods Impact Bejaia
Heavy rain lasting ten minutes caused flash floods in the village of Acharchour, located in the municipality of Boukhelifa, on Saturday evening. Residents in the area experienced sudden water accumulation following the downpour. This rapid influx of water created hazardous conditions for those living in the immediate vicinity of the village.
Rising water levels from these floods reached National Road No. 09 at kilometer point 11. The impact on this transit route disrupted local movement as emergency services assessed the conditions on the roadway. The blockage of this major infrastructure artery necessitated immediate attention from local authorities to ensure the safety of travelers and to manage the flow of traffic through the affected section of the municipality.
Emergency Operations in Sidi Bel Abbes
Civil Protection units conducted interventions across 10 municipalities in Sidi Bel Abbes as heavy rains caused the Oued Mekerra river to overflow its banks. These operations addressed widespread flooding that impacted local infrastructure and residential accessibility throughout the province. The overflow of the Oued Mekerra river required extensive coordination among emergency response teams to mitigate the damage caused to the surrounding areas.
Emergency responders focused efforts on the 600-housing unit area of Sidi Bel Abbes to reach students trapped inside a Quranic school. Rising water levels had obstructed the building's entrance, preventing the occupants from leaving the site. Personnel from Civil Protection successfully completed the rescue operation, ensuring the safety of all students involved. The operation was prioritized due to the vulnerability of the students trapped within the facility.
Additional rescue efforts took place in the Bouhi area of El Aricha on Sunday. Civil Protection services responded to reports of a vehicle caught in floodwaters and successfully extracted four people who had been trapped inside. The rescue team utilized specialized equipment to reach the vehicle and secure the safety of the passengers as water levels continued to pose a threat to those caught in the rising current.
Separately, flooding in the province of Bechar necessitated intervention from emergency services to assist motorists caught in the severe weather. Civil Protection teams rescued two people from a vehicle that had become stranded due to the rising water. The teams worked to stabilize the situation and relocate the individuals to safety, noting the ongoing risks associated with the heavy rainfall across multiple provinces during the weekend.