Heavy rains, flooding kill 20 in southern Niger

KIGALI, Rwanda

Floods triggered by heavy rains killed 20 people and injured dozens in the southern Nigerien region of Maradi, authorities said on Saturday.

“The provisional toll from Friday’s torrential rains is heavy. As of Friday, around 11:00 p.m., about 20 bodies were recovered, several dozen others injured, some seriously,” Issoufou Mamane, the regional governor told reporters.

He added that the floods submerged homes, leaving hundreds of people homeless, swept away cars, and affected road infrastructure in the area.

Over the last three months through Aug. 19, flooding across the country, exacerbated by climate change, has displaced over 353,000 people, washed out roads, and killed 217 people and wounded 200, according to data released Wednesday by Care International, a non-governmental organization.

The regions of Maradi, Zinder, and Tahoua have been the worst hit.

In a statement, the NGO warned that in addition to the loss of life, property, and infrastructure, the impacts on livelihoods and food security will be particularly acute after the flooding killed thousands of livestock and destroyed over 3,000 hectares (7,4318 acres) of crops.