Official sources have reported that heavy rains in Niger since July have resulted in floods that claimed the lives of 50 individuals and affected over 154,000 residents. The victims tragically perished due to the collapse of their predominantly mud-built homes or as a result of drowning.
According to the Nigerien civil defense, the heavy rainfall impacted 18,377 families and resulted in the loss of 3,301 livestock, in addition to damaging food crops, classrooms, and health centers. The hardest-hit areas include Moradi, Taoua, Zinder, with reported fatalities of 20, 15, and 6, respectively.
In the previous year, 196 lives were lost, and 400,000 others were affected, with 40,746 households feeling the impact. Furthermore, over 900 hectares of farmland, 235 grain stores, and 89 classrooms were destroyed.
Niger’s rainy season typically spans from June to September and often leads to life-threatening consequences in this Sahel region country.