Heavy Rainfall Claims 94 Lives in Niger

Heavy rainfall in Niger has resulted in 94 deaths and 93 injuries since the rainy season began in May, affecting 137,156 individuals, Xinhua reported today.

At a press briefing, Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management Aissa Lawan Wandarma reported that 44 fatalities were due to flooding and 50 from house collapses.

All eight regions of the country have experienced flooding, impacting 692 villages, 129 communes, and 46 departments.

The disaster has led to the collapse of 14,045 houses, destruction of 502 huts, and loss of 15,472 livestock. Additionally, 2,763 hectares of agricultural land have been flooded, resulting in 17,495 tons of ruined food and damage to 37 classrooms.

The government is currently distributing food and non-food kits to those affected and has urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate and maintain drainage systems. Wandarma emphasized the importance of leaving damaged homes to prevent disease outbreaks.