Heavy rainfall hit the Algerian provinces of Tebessa and Bir El Ater, causing flash floods that led to two separate accidents, killing two people. The downpour, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday, resulted in torrential floods that inundated streets and neighborhoods. The city's main streets and lower-lying areas were severely affected, with the worst incidents occurring in areas below the city.
The Algerian Civil Protection service responded quickly, deploying personnel and equipment to mitigate the effects of the floods. They managed to rescue 11 vehicles stuck in the floodwaters, including three in the industrial zone of the city, a passenger bus with five people on board, and two cars on the social road to Boulhaf El Dair. Additionally, they evacuated water from 17 homes across several neighborhoods.
One of the accidents occurred on the national highway 10 in Tebessa, where a car struck and killed a 22-year-old man, injuring another. The victim's body was taken to the morgue, while the injured person received medical attention. The Civil Protection service reported that the accident happened around 10 pm on Saturday.
In Bir El Ater, a 45-year-old man named "Sadek" died when his tractor overturned due to the heavy rainfall and poor road conditions. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, and the Civil Protection service responded promptly to recover the body.
The flash floods affected several municipalities, with Tebessa's capital city experiencing the most severe conditions. The city's residents witnessed torrential floods similar to those that occurred in 2018. The authorities took measures to minimize the impact, including deploying emergency services and issuing statements on their interventions.
The Algerian Civil Protection service continued to respond to the crisis, with multiple units involved in the rescue operations. The services worked to clear water from flooded homes and roads, ensuring public safety. The efforts helped mitigate the effects of the flash floods, but the incidents highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather conditions.
The recent incidents demonstrate the challenges faced by communities in Tebessa and Bir El Ater during periods of heavy rainfall. The region's infrastructure and emergency services were put to the test, with responders working to minimize the impact of the flash floods. The authorities will likely assess the damage and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- Two people died in separate accidents caused by flash floods in Tebessa and Bir El Ater.
- The Algerian Civil Protection service responded quickly to rescue people and mitigate the effects of the floods.
- The incidents highlighted the need for continued investment in emergency services and infrastructure to address the region's vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.
