10 deadly catastrophes threaten 36 provinces in Algeria

Algeria’s Civil Protection department classified six areas in five provinces as “big danger sites.” Three of them are in the south and the others are in the north. A total of 36 other provinces are classified as “areas threatened by industrial risks.”

According to a map designed by the Civil Protection department, the ten big dangers are: earthquake, geological and industrial risks, floods, forest wildfire, bad weather, radioactive and nuclear risks, dangers caused by human compounds, air, land and water pollution, dangers linked to health and the fauna and flora.

Concerning industrial dangers, a total of 12 provinces were classified as “very high danger areas”, 14 in “high danger areas,” 11 in “medium danger areas,” 11 in “low danger areas,” and 10 provinces in “very low danger areas.”

As for floods danger, the Civil Protection department classified 12 provinces in “very high danger areas.” Of them, there are Algiers, Boumerdes, Msila, Djelfa, Tizi Ouzou, Skikda, Batna, Tiaret, Ghardaia, Bordj Bouarreridj and Ain Defla. A total of 14 provinces are classified in “high danger areas” and 11 in “medium danger areas.”

Regarding wildfire, a total of 12 provinces were classified in “very high danger areas.” Of them there are Blida, Algiers, Boumerdes, Bouira, Tipaza, Ain Defla and Tizi Ouzou.

The Civil Protection department classified the provinces of Illizi, Ouarguela, Laghouat, Oran and Annaba as “big danger areas.” A senior official said Algerian authorities are concerned about those sites as they are oil, gas or industrial fields.

The Civil Protection department was based on the analysis of possible consequences on people when accidents take place and the safety of places next to hit fields. The criteria include physical, geological and weather data and natural conditions such as topography.