ALGIERS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snowfalls and rains on Thursday in Algeria claimed the life of two people and forced authorities to cancel several flights, local media reported.
The heavy rains claimed the life of a fire-fighter in the province of Bouira, as he was taken away by floods, TSA news website reported, quoting a statement of the Fire Fighting Department.
The National Gendarmerie said in a statement that heavy rain and snow affected traffic in 22 national roads and 26 local roads, adding that a man was killed and 14 others were wounded in a road accident in Blida province, some 60 km south of Algiers.
The National Meteorological Office warned that heavy snowfalls will continue to pour down all along Thursday overnight until Friday, notably in the central and eastern areas, of which the altitude exceeds 700 m.
As a result, the state-run company Air Algeria was forced to cancel several domestic flights due to bad weather.
Many national roads and interior ways were blocked by snow as hundreds of vehicles were trapped.
Army troops equipped with shovels and snow removal trucks help motorists find their way back home.
