By NNN-APS
Batna, Algeria : Torrential rain in east central provinces in Algeria have caused the death of ten people and the collapse of two bridges in the province of M’sila, 250 km southeast of Algiers.
The floods have also affected Batna, 435 km east of Algiers, and disrupted road traffic in Biskra, 400 km south of Algiers.
In the province of M’sila, the rise in water level of the Mesrane River, in S’lim municipality, swept away eight members of the same family who were inside their vehicle.
Two children, aged 3 and 4, three women and a 16-year-old youth, are listed among the eight victims who died, said the province’s national gendarmerie commander.
Two other people, swept away in the raging waters of the Mita River, died in the province of M’sila. All the corpses have been found, according to civil defence personnel.
The raging river waters also caused the collapse of two bridges in the province, the first located on National Highway 45 in Dehadhia, in the municipality of Maarif, and the second on provincial road CW-38, in the municipality of Ouled Sidi Brahim, between Tamsa and Amedjedel.
In the city of Batna, a crisis unit has been set up to follow up on the situation and gauge the damage caused by the torrential rainfalls in the region, which was recorded at 17.1 mm in Batna.