At least 15 more people have died due to torrential rains in Niger Republic, according to regional authorities. These are the most recent casualties of the ongoing heavy rains in the West African country.
Heavy downpours have ravaged the Sahel region since June this year, recording at least 217 deaths across the country.
Over 350,000 people have been displaced and the capital, Niamey, was almost cut off from the rest of the country last week due to increasing floods before receding.
Authorities say the latest deaths occurred in Maradi, Niger’s economic capital, on Friday.
“We have registered 15 human lives lost; we have also registered injured and heavy material damage”, regional governor Issoufou Mamane told public television.
On Friday, local television reported that 150 millimetres (Six inches) of water fell on the city in just 90 minutes.
As seen on TV, the flood raced through the streets, collapsing homes and carrying off cars, motorcycles, and trees.
It was also reported that basic amenities such as drinking water and electricity supply have been affected in some areas. The floods have also caused traffic on the main road that links Maradi to Zinder.
The rainy season in Niger begins in June and extends to September leading to a heavy death toll in the country. In 2022 alone, 400,000 were displaced and 195 killed during the torrential downpour.