Niger: At least 36 people killed in floods as of August 29 /update 3

Event

According to the UN, at least 36 people have been killed by flooding since June. In addition, at least 130,468 people have been displaced, mainly in the Maradi, Agadez, Zinder, and Diffa regions. According to the UN, over 7000 homes and 8000 hectares (19000 acres) of agricultural land have been destroyed by the heavy rains.

Context

Torrential downpours are a frequent occurrence during Niger's rainy season - which lasts from May to September - and often lead to significant flooding and traffic disruptions. Inadequate construction standards leave occupants at risk from collapsing buildings.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned in June that 180,000 people across Niger could be affected by severe flooding during this year's rainy season. In preparation, the Nigerien government has announced the completion of several dikes in its capital, Niamey, to protect an estimated 30,000 people from the flooding of the Niger River.

Advice

Individuals present in Niamey are advised to follow all instructions issued by local authorities (e.g. possible evacuation orders), allow additional time to travel, and monitor the situation via local media and weather reporting outlets. Please be advised that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.