In recent years, the phenomenon of flooding has attracted the interest of public authorities to the point of becoming one of the government's priorities. From now on, these risks haunt both the State and citizens as soon as stormy rains are announced and at any time of the year, especially since Algeria is classified among the most threatened countries.
To prevent their occurrence, and since August 2023, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities has continued to send a series of recommendations to walis to act at their level.
While the 2001 floods in Bab El Oued are still remembered, several regions were affected.
We remember Ghardaïa in 2008, but also Tamanrasset, Illizi, and recently Béchar and Naâma, without forgetting the floods which often hit the northern region. Examples were not lacking in the wilayas of Tlemcen, El Bayadh, Tipasa, M'sila, Skikda, Jijel, Mila, Annaba, Batna, Constantine, Guelma, Souk Ahras and others, with all the significant damage and human losses. Experience has also shown that wadi flooding is not the only cause.
All it takes is a saturated rainwater network, clogged gutters or drains, and unmaintained sanitation pipes for the damage to become significant and even surprising. Failures which were taken care of at the local level by regular cleaning and cleaning operations in normal times, but large-scale solutions for the protection of cities against flooding are necessary, under Law No. 24 -04 of February 26, 2024 laying down the rules for prevention, intervention and reduction of disaster risks within the framework of sustainable development.
“All projects linked to the protection of cities against the risks of flooding as well as the related development work on wadis and watercourses are part of the national strategy adopted by the sector in this regard,” he said. declared the Minister of Hydraulics, Taha Derbal, during a recent plenary session at the Council of the Nation.
The same official will not fail to reaffirm the commitment of his department to realize these projects to improve the living conditions of citizens and protect their property. According to the minister, this strategy includes the identification of sites threatened by flood risks and their degree of vulnerability. However, implementing these commitments will require significant funding, as the list of regions concerned is long.
In 2018, the same ministry revealed the identification of 689 risk sites nationwide. For their part, experts put forward the figure of 800 sites, while 35 wilayas still remain under the threat of flooding. Opinions converge on priority actions to be carried out through the installation of effective warning systems, the demarcation of risk zones, the development of waterways and the strengthening of rainwater drainage.
At the level of each wilaya, it will be necessary to regularly monitor black spots by mobilizing all means of intervention in normal times. Raising citizen awareness is also crucial and their involvement is inevitable for the success of any prevention plan.
They must become aware of the dangers of construction near wadis and the discharge of solid debris on the banks. Rivers are unpredictable and floods can occur at any time of the year. For its part, the State is also called upon to take action against offenders and no longer turn a blind eye, before thinking about implementing its commitments.
