Algiers/Paris - At least 33 people were killed and 48 injured this week in southern Algeria in flooding caused by heavy rains, local media reported on Saturday.

The flooding affected eight desert cities in the valley of M'Zab, the largest of which is Ghardaia, which is located about 600 kilometres south of the capital Algiers.

The sudden storms caused the M'Zab river to overflow its banks in less than 20 minutes, witnesses said. (dpa)