Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System in Algeria
Country/Region
Project Summary
Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System in Algeria
Project Description
THE MET OFFICE
In 2001 a severe rainstorm hit Algiers. The Wadi (or dry riverbeds), which would normally evacuate the water, had been settled by rural migrants so the water could not escape. The resulting floodwave killed around 800 people, mostly women and children on their way to school.
The Met Office has worked with the Algerian Meteorological Service to analyse the conditions which caused the flood, specify new equipment and train staff.
This project has and will save lives by increasing the Algerian Meteorological Service's capability to forecast and warn of severe weather events, whilst improving relations between Algeria and the UK.
For this project the Met Office was a finalist in the Small Consultancy (B) category of the British Expertise International Awards 2006.