Flood death toll rises to 26: Egypt’s health ministry

The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in Egypt has risen to 26 people, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday, citing the health and population ministry.

A further 72 people were injured following the floods over the weekend, according to the ministry.

In South Sinai, nine people were killed and another was injured. In Upper Egypt’s Sohag, eight people were killed, 23 injured, and in Beni Suef, a further five people were injured.

In the Red Sea, nine people were killed and 35 others injured.

On Saturday, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered a total of EGP 50 million (around $5.6 million) to be allocated as compensation to the victims of the floods nationwide, while a further EGP 50 million was allocated for an urgent restoration of infrastructure in areas affected by the floods.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail visited Ras Gharib town, around 150 km north of Red Sea’s Hurghada, to check damages while also listening to explanations by the governor on how the affected areas would be rebuilt and what relief efforts are being provided to the victims and those affected.

According to the government, Ras Gharib was hit on Thursday with unprecedented rainfall that reached 120 million cubic metres, where Prime Minister Ismail ordered the irrigation minister to use the expertise of university professors for more studies on ways to limit the effect of floods.

Since Thursday, heavy rains caused flooding in several towns in Upper Egypt and along the Red Sea coast.

Impoverished areas with poor infrastructure have been the worst hit.

Source: Ahram Online