Flood prevention plan needed in Algeria

On 23 October 2021, Algeria was hit by torrential rains causing severe flooding. These floods resulted in the death of several people and caused significant material damage in 14 wilayas (departments) of the country.

According to major risk experts, Algeria does not provide a preservation plan against this phenomenon.

A law on the prevention of floods and natural disasters was enacted in 2004 but has not been implemented.

Experts say that the country still does not have a real prevention strategy against this type of disaster, while 35 of the 48 wilaya capitals are flooded each year.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations agency, classifies Algeria among the 20 hotspots of the planet in terms of natural disasters.