The heavy rains that have been falling in Niger since June have killed 32 people and affected more than 66,000 people, the authorities of this country with a usually very dry climate said on Thursday August 11.
As of August 14, a total of 32 people have died, including 17 in the collapse of their homes and 15 by drowning, while 66,781 others are affected and at least 44 injured, according to figures from the Civil Protection services. communicated to AFP.
A previous official report of August 4 reported 24 dead and more than 50,000 victims.
Heavy economic losses
The most affected regions are those of Zinder (Centre-East), Diffa (South-East) and Tillabéry (South-West).
The capital, Niamey, usually more hit by rains and floods, is spared for the moment.
In the affected areas, the rains destroyed or damaged more than 7,000 homes and caused the collapse of classrooms, health care centres, granaries and shops.
Despite its short duration of three to four months - between June and August or September - the rainy season has become deadly in recent years, including in the northern desert areas.
In 2021, heavy rains had killed at least 70 people and claimed more than 200,000 victims, according to the authorities and the UN.
Read alsoNiger: six soldiers killed in a new attack near Chad
In this poor country with a very dry climate, bad harvests are usually due to drought.
"
On average, Niger loses 40 billion FCFA (about 60 million euros)
" each year "
because of floods and droughts
", according to Laouan Magagi, Nigerien Minister for Humanitarian Action, in charge of the management disasters.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/LEW6QMWWHNE5FNIE3XEQGWJXMQ.jpg)
