A severe weather system has brought significant disruption to the Kabylie region in northern Algeria, with heavy rainfall and strong winds causing widespread damage and flooding. The worst affected areas include Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa provinces, where several roads have been closed due to landslides, flooding, and debris. A young person died after their vehicle was swept away by a swollen river in the town of Bouzeguène.
The Algerian authorities have reported that several major roads have been closed due to the severe weather conditions. The route from Tirourda to Chelata was blocked by heavy snowfall, while the RN30A road to Takhoukht was closed due to a landslide before being reopened later in the day. The RN15 road between Larbaâ Nath Irathen and Aïn El Hammam was also closed due to blocked drains and debris.
In addition to road closures, many areas have been affected by power outages, with hundreds of households losing electricity over the past two days. The Société de distribution d’électricité et du gaz de Béjaïa (SDC) has reported that the outages were caused by fallen power lines due to strong winds, which reached speeds of over 60 km/h. Crews have been working to restore power and repair damaged lines.
The Béjaïa province has been particularly hard hit, with widespread flooding and damage reported in several communes. The RN 09 road connecting Béjaïa to Sétif was closed due to a large landslide and rockfall, with traffic diverted through the old Kherrata tunnel. Other roads, including CW 16 and CW 6, were also closed due to landslides and flooding.
In Béjaïa city, several areas were affected by flooding, with the road network severely impacted. The city's residents have been advised to exercise caution when traveling, with many roads rendered impassable due to debris and standing water. The local authorities have deployed teams to clear blocked roads and restore essential services.
The severe weather has also caused significant damage to property, with several buildings affected by flooding and strong winds. In the Saïd Bellil neighborhood, a building wall collapsed due to the heavy rainfall and wind, prompting concerns about the safety of nearby residents. An investigation has been launched into the incident.
The Algerian authorities have responded quickly to the crisis, with emergency services deployed to affected areas to provide assistance and support. The Direction des travaux publics (DTP) has reported that teams are working to clear blocked roads and restore essential services, with a focus on ensuring public safety and minimizing disruption to daily life.
Key points
- One person died in the town of Bouzeguène after their vehicle was swept away by a swollen river.
- Hundreds of households lost electricity due to fallen power lines caused by strong winds.
- Several major roads have been closed due to landslides, flooding, and debris.
