Weather warnings bring up to 40mm of rain this weekend

The National Office of Meteorology (ONM) has issued several weather alerts for rain and storms across Algeria, covering the weekend before the 1 November holiday. Algérie 360 reported the alerts, which apply to Saturday and Sunday.

The holiday marks the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Revolution, and it is a paid day off for all employees. People who plan to travel or enjoy the long weekend should take the weather into account, the report said.

The ONM has issued a level 2 special weather bulletin (BMS) for Béjaïa, Jijel, Skikda, Annaba and El Tarf. It forecasts between 20mm and 40mm of rain in these wilayas.

The alert starts at 18:00 on Saturday and lasts until 18:00 on Sunday.

When will the rain continue?

The rain is expected to continue for much of Sunday, the day of the Revolution celebrations. Other alerts cover storms that could also bring heavy rain in several regions.

A first set of alerts covers 18 wilayas, where storms could reach or exceed 15mm. It is valid on Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00.

The wilayas are Tlemcen, Naâma, El Bayadh, Béchar, Béni Abbès, Tindouf, Batna, Khenchela, Tébessa, Oum El Bouaghi, Souk Ahras, Guelma, Constantine, Mila, Sétif, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira and Tizi Ouzou.

A second set covers Chlef, Tipaza, Algiers, Boumerdès, Blida, Médéa and Aïn Defla. Storms there could also reach or exceed 15mm.

This alert runs from 22:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Sunday.

What should people do?

The services recommend caution, especially when travelling. People should keep away from wadi beds and slopes, slow down when driving and not try to cross flood water.

The services say this rule applies to every type of vehicle. Even when the water looks shallow, crossing a river in flood can be dangerous.

Pedestrians are asked to avoid areas that are flooded.