Flash floods in Tunisia triggered by torrential rain have killed at least five people, officials have said.

A powerful rainstorm on Wednesday that lasted into the early hours of the morning has wreaked havoc in north-western and central areas of the country.

The spokesman of Tunisia’s National Guard told a local radio station that 42 roads, including nine national routes, were cut off.

Tunisia has seen unusually heavy downpours since August.

People living in rural regions have long complained that riverbeds swiftly overflow and flood because they are not properly maintained and are filled with rubbish.