Underground rivers threaten thousands of Algerians

Estimates released by local authorities reveal that more than 100 thousand housing units were built either in easily flooded areas or by river banks and dams. The city of Tebessa (eastern Algeria) takes the lead with more than 17236 houses followed by Batna which counts 16221 then Algiers with 14545 housing units, Tizi Ouzou which counts 9012 and at last Tipasa with 5012 houses.

• The town of Tebessa is the most threatened by this natural disaster in Algeria as most of the buildings were erected by the river banks and sometimes on the river bed. Two rivers run through this city; namely “Zaarour” and “Nakes” while the “May 06th” river runs through the city of Ouanza. As to the locality of “Laaouinet” this one is crossed by the “Kuif “and “ Melag” rivers. All of them stem from “ Anoual” and “Mizaf” mountains.
• The neighboring city of Batna comprises 16221 housing units built by the river banks known as the “rivers’ family” comes at the second position nationwide in terms of easily flooded areas due to the large number of rivers that cross the city which flow from the “Aures” mountains range.
• The 16 Kilometre long rivers of “ Zemala” and “Guerzi” stretch from the east to the west crossing most of the towns districts. Local authorities proceeded to the covering of the river and set up a big collector but this didn’t prevent the last year’s inundation following its block up.
• Algiers threatened by major flooding:
• Studies revealed that the capital city, Algiers is built on 9 major rivers and floods hit trendy districts downtown, Cheraga, Dely Brahim. Rivers ran through the city two centuries ago for instance the river “Kniss” crosses the posh district of hydra and Birmourad Rais  has become a business pool which comprises several administrative buildings.
• As concerns the working class district of Bab El Oued, the threat will be eliminated in a year time since a major project to collect water form the upper parts of “Trillolet” is at its final stage.