Heavy rainfall and snowfall have hit the wilaya of Tizi Ouzou in Algeria, causing widespread disruptions and anxiety among the population. The rainfall reached 40 mm in a single day, while snowfall occurred on high-altitude areas above 700m. The situation has prompted concerns, despite the authorities' efforts to prepare for such weather conditions. The Protection civile reported 37 interventions, primarily related to water evacuation on public roads and house infiltrations.
The Protection civile carried out several operations to address the aftermath of the torrential rains. In Draâ Ben Khedda and the city of Tizi Ouzou, water evacuation efforts were undertaken, while four retaining walls collapsed in Tizi Ouzou, Boghni, Larbaâ Nath Irathen, and Tizi Rached. Additionally, the Protection civile responded to fallen trees that obstructed traffic. The Gendarmerie nationale identified several black spots where traffic was blocked due to the weather conditions.
Several major roads in the region were affected by the weather conditions. The RN30, connecting Aït Yahia to Tizi-Ouzou, was blocked at Boushel due to 15 cm of snow. Similarly, the RN33, linking Tizi-Ouzou and Bouira, was closed at Assoul, while the RN15 was blocked at the Tirurda pass. The RN30 was also affected at Iboudraren, and the chemin de wilaya numéro 253, connecting Tizi-Ouzou and Béjaïa, was closed at Chelata.
A dramatic rescue operation took place in Bouzeguène, where two young men were swept away by the overflowing oued Boubhir. The two individuals, aged 25 and 23, were rescued after spending 11 hours in the water. The Protection civile and the ANP worked together to locate and retrieve the victims, who were eventually evacuated to the EPSP de Bouzeguène. The rescue operation involved significant resources, including diving equipment, lighting, and rescue teams.
The wali Abdelhakim Chater and the president of the APW, Youcef Aouchiche, visited the scene and oversaw the rescue operation. They pledged to take charge of the situation and provide necessary support. The authorities' swift response helped mitigate the impact of the disaster, but the region remains vulnerable to such weather events.
The disruptions caused by the torrential rains and snow have highlighted the need for improved preparedness and infrastructure in the region. While the authorities have announced plans to prevent and respond to such events, the recent experience has shown that more work needs to be done to protect the population and infrastructure.
The region is expected to recover from the disruptions, but the recent events serve as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and response. The authorities will likely review their strategies to address the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions in the region.
Key points
- Two young men were rescued after being swept away by the overflowing oued Boubhir in Bouzeguène.
- The Protection civile reported 37 interventions in response to the torrential rains and snow.
- Several major roads in the region were blocked due to the weather conditions.
