Mali declares national disaster amid devastating floods

DOUALA, Cameroon

Mali on Friday declared a national disaster on Friday due to the devastating floods caused by torrential rains.

This decision was announced in a statement released after an extraordinary Cabinet meeting chaired by Col. Assimi Goita, the president of the transition government of the West African state.

"Since the beginning of the rainy season until August 22, 2024, 122 cases of flooding have been recorded in 17 regions and the Bamako district. These floods have affected 7,077 households, or 47,374 people, including 14,451 men, 13,576 women, and 19,347 children," a government statement said.

The statement noted that these floods have caused 30 deaths in many regions.

Cases of house collapses, lightning, and strong winds were reported in certain regions, the government said.