Orange rain alert hits five eastern wilayas until Thursday, ONM says

The National Office of Meteorology (ONM) has issued an orange rain alert for five eastern wilayas, valid from 12:00 on Wednesday until 15:00 on Thursday.

The alert covers Béjaïa, Jijel, Skikda, Annaba and El Tarf, where rainfall of 20 to 40 mm is expected.

The ONM issued its special weather bulletin (BMS) on Tuesday, at the second level, which is orange. Algérie 360 said the rain could last for more than one day in those areas.

The ONM also issued a yellow, first-level alert for rain on Wednesday, in an update released at 05:53. It covers 11 wilayas, including Tizi Ouzou, Boumerdès, Bouira, Algiers, Blida, Tipaza, Souk Ahras, Guelma, Constantine, Tébessa and Oum El Bouaghi.

Storms are also forecast on Wednesday in 18 wilayas, including El Tarf, Annaba, Skikda, Jijel, Béjaïa, Khenchela and Batna.

A separate alert, reported by Algérie 360, warns of rain that could reach or exceed 15 mm in seven central wilayas. They are Tipaza, Algiers, Boumerdès, Tizi Ouzou, Blida, Médéa and Bouira, from 21:00 on Wednesday until 05:00 on Thursday.

On Thursday, rain is forecast in 14 wilayas, from the east to the High Plateaus and the south-east, according to Awras.

They are Souk Ahras, Guelma, Constantine, Mila, Sétif, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Tébessa, Oum El Bouaghi, Khenchela, Batna, M'Sila, Djelfa, Biskra and El Oued.

Storms are also expected on Thursday in those 14 wilayas, and in El Tarf, Annaba, Skikda, Jijel and Béjaïa.

Algérie 360 advises people to follow the latest ONM bulletins and take extra care when travelling, especially in areas at risk of heavy rain or storms.

Drivers should adapt their driving and, where possible, avoid roads in risk zones, especially when heavy rain or violent storms are announced.

People in the central wilayas are asked to take care, especially when travelling at night.