Torrential downpours have hit North Africa's normally arid mountains and deserts causing flooding that has killed nearly two dozen people in Morocco and Algeria and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure.

In rural areas where infrastructure has historically been lacking, over 50 homes collapsed, several people were missing, drinking water and electrical infrastructure were damaged and damage to major roads, bridges and railway lines has also been reported

Large numbers of civil protection and military officers have been deployed to help with emergency response efforts and rescue families stuck in their homes.

In Morocco, officials said the two days of storms surpassed historic averages, in some cases exceeding the annual average rainfall. The downpours affected some of the regions that experienced a deadly earthquake one year ago.