CAIRO, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - Twenty people died in Algeria as a result of torrential rain and severe flooding which swept the country last week, national media reported on Monday.

Flash floods hit several regions in Algeria's south and in mountain areas, emergency services said. Mountain rivers overflowed, destroying several houses.

Most of those killed are women and children, media quoted rescuers as saying.

Algerian meteorologists say the weather is expected to improve over the coming days.

Rainstorms have also affected neighboring Morocco, where five people have been reported dead, Africa News said.

In early October 2008, floods in the Algerian central province of Ghardaia killed over 30 people and injured around 50.