RABAT, Morocco (AP) 鈥� Torrential downpours hit North Africa's normally arid mountains and deserts over the weekend, causing flooding that killed nearly two dozen people in Morocco and Algeria and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure.
In Morocco, officials said the two days of storms surpassed historic averages, in some cases exceeding the annual average rainfall. The downpours affected some of the regions that a deadly earthquake one year ago.
Meteorologists had predicted that a rare deluge could strike North Africa鈥檚 Sahara Desert, where many areas receive less than an inch of rain a year.
Officials in Morocco said 18 people were killed in rural areas where infrastructure has historically been lacking, and 56 homes collapsed. Nine people were missing. Drinking water and electrical infrastructure were damaged, along with major roads.
Among the dead in the region, where many tourists go to enjoy desert landscapes, were foreigners from Canada and Peru.
Rachid El Khalfi, Morocco鈥檚 Interior Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday that the government was working to restore communication and access to flooded regions in the 鈥渆xceptional situation鈥� and urged people to use caution.
In neighboring Algeria, which held a presidential over the weekend, authorities said at least five died in the country's desert provinces. Interior Minister Brahim Merad called the situation 鈥渃atastrophic鈥� on state-owned television.
Algeria鈥檚 state-run news service APS said the government had sent thousands of civil protection and military officers to help with emergency response efforts and rescue families stuck in their homes. The floods also damaged bridges and trains.
Sam Metz, The Associated Press
