Heavy rainfall since June in Niger, a poor Sahel state, has killed 33 people and more than 80,000 people, while the rainy season is in full swing, authorities said Thursday.
“As of August 10, we have nationally 10,630 affected households with 88,772 affected people, unfortunately we deplore 33 loss of human life following drownings and house collapses”, announced the Nigerien emergency services.
More than 9,000 houses collapsed, 2,455 head of cattle perished, they added.
To relieve the victims, the authorities have launched operations to distribute rice, loincloths, mats, blankets and soap.
The most affected regions are Maradi (center-South), Tahoua and Tillabéri (West), and Dosso (South-West).
The heavy rains caused the overflow of rivers and the Niger River, according to the national meteorology which still predicts “significant storms in the days to come”.