Torrential downpours have killed at least nine people and ruined hundreds of homes in the town of el- Bayadh, 700 km (435 miles) south of Algeria, state-run APS news agency reported Monday. A rescue worker is also missing in flooding in southern Algeria, it added. A number of bridges collapsed, several roads are blocked and schools have been closed. Algeria\'s meteorological service had warned about strong thunderstorms across the country from Saturday into Sunday. Algeria is often hit by heavy rain and flooding in October.