Nearly 160 Killed In Niger’s Rains, Floods

The heavy rains that have fallen on Niger since June and the severe flooding caused have killed 159 people and affected more than 225,000.

According to the figures of the Civil Protection services communicated on Monday, 159 deaths were recorded, 121 in the collapse of houses and 38 by drowning. 185 people were injured and 225,539 people affected, the same source said.

The rains also destroyed or damaged more than 25,900 dwellings (houses, huts, and shelters), 71 classrooms, six health care centres, and 210-grain stores. Nearly 700 heads of livestock were also destroyed.

The areas around the cities of Maradi (south-central, 68 dead), Zinder (east-central, 48 dead), Dosso (southwest, 18 dead), and Tahoua (west, 16 dead) are the most affected. Meteorological services are also predicting further "heavy rains" until the end of September.

The Africanews added that the Civil Protection services have also been broadcasting messages calling on residents to be "vigilant" and "to evacuate flood-prone areas".