Over 40 people have died and thousand affected by flooding in Niger, West Africa. Other countries of the region have also seen major flooding over the last few weeks, including Nigeria and Mauritania, along with Central African Republic and further north, Algeria and Morocco.
Flooding has affected some areas of Niger since June to July, but have worsened over the last week. According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) in Niger, almost 70,000 people are now affected, with most of them in Maradi, Zinder and Agadez, as well as Dosso and Niamey, where around 3,000 are affected.
As many as 42 people have already lost their lives. Houses, schools and shops have been damaged or destroyed, along with food stocks, agricultural lands and cattle. Local media said that 5,497 houses have been completely destroyed. The Niger Government has called for the relocation of the most at-risk population.
Niger River Reaches Danger Mark
The Niger river at Niamey has been high since late August after heavy rain in the Niger basin from 23 August. The river reached orange alert (second of three) level (5.80 metres) on 27 August 2019. According to the Niger Basin Authority, the rise in the water level has been quite rapid since then. Authorities have issued warnings in Niamey.
As of 04 September 2019 it stood at 6.33 metres, above the Red (third level) Alert level of 6.2 metres and well above normal level of 5.5 metres.
In Mali, the river is close to or above Yellow (first level) Alert at Banankoro (5.5 metres) and Koulikoro (4 metres) stations.
Niger Basin Authority warned that river levels are likely to be high in downstream areas in the coming days, including in Benin and Nigeria.
Social Media
Les inondations se poursuivent avec intensité partout le long du fleuve. De karma au Niger à karimama au bénin, la détresse est perceptible chez les populations avec des rizières et des habitations totalement sous les eaux. L'intensité du sinistre ne faiblit pas. pic.twitter.com/hDgGFm2LQJ
— NIANDOU Idé (@niandou_ide) September 2, 2019
Les inondations liées à la crue exceptionnelle du fleuve Niger annoncée il y a à peu près un mois sont maintenant arrivées. Toute la zone d'inondation en amont et en aval de niamey est sous l'eau et la crue continue intensément. pic.twitter.com/nLaVt8mGI8
— NIANDOU Idé (@niandou_ide) September 2, 2019
Niger/Pluies et inondations : Min Santé et de l’Action Humanitaire avec les partenaires OMS, OCHA, CR, à Neni Goungou pr évaluer les dégâts et les besoins__Environ 300 ménages et 1000 personnes sinistrées. 1er besoins=évacuation, abris, biens alimentaire et non alimentaire,santé pic.twitter.com/KOTBkQYmEo
— OMS Niger (@omsniger) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/OCHA_Niger/status/1167406391088353280
https://twitter.com/OCHA_Niger/status/1168828843379101697
