The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in Egypt in the last 48 hours has risen to 26 people, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday, citing the health and population ministry.

A further 72 people were injured due to flood related accidents over the weekend, according to the ministry.

In South Sinai, nine people were killed and one injured. In Upper Egypt’s Sohag eight people were killed and 23 injured, while in Beni Suef five people were injured.

In the Red Sea, nine people were killed and 35 others injured.

On Saturday, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered a total of EGP 50 million (around $5.6 million) to be allocated as compensation to the victims of the floods nationwide, while a further EGP 50 million was allocated for the urgent restoration of infrastructure in areas affected by the floods.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail visited the town of Ras Gharib, around 150 km north of Red Sea’s Hurghada, to survey the damage and discuss with the governor the rebuilding of disaster areas and aid to the victims.

Ras Gharib was hit on Thursday with unprecedented rainfall that reached 120 million cubic metres.

Prime Minister Ismail ordered the irrigation minister to use the expertise of university professors for more studies on ways to limit the effect of future floods.

Since Thursday, heavy rains have caused flooding in several towns in Upper Egypt and along the Red Sea coast.

Impoverished areas with poor infrastructure have been the worst hit.