NIGER: Flash floods in Niger displaces thousands and destroys hundreds of homes in the capital, Niamey. The Niger River burst its banks following days of heavy rainfall in the country

Record ID: 235769

  • Title: NIGER: Flash floods in Niger displaces thousands and destroys hundreds of homes in the capital, Niamey. The Niger River burst its banks following days of heavy rainfall in the country
  • Date: 21st August 2012
  • Summary: CLOTHES HANG OUT TO DRY IN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Niger
  • Country: Niger
  • Topics: Disasters,Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA7GZPV4Z50JWC7FBMSC7CS7B6P
  • Story Text: Residents of Niger's capital Niamey are still trying to come to terms with the aftermath of the heavy rains and floods that have caused havoc, as they look through the rubbles of their destroyed houses, looking for belongings they can salvage.
    The heavy rainfall, which hit over the holy Islamic Ramadan holiday, caused the Niger River to burst its banks in parts of Niamey, destroying hectares of vegetable gardens and rice fields and displacing thousands of people around the capital.

    "My wife asked me whether I was going for Eid prayers and I told her it's was raining, we need to put the children somewhere safe. We left everything and we carried the children into the car to a safe place. And now you can see what is left of our property. It's only now that we are trying to pick up what we can," said one Niamey resident Amadou Seyni Yaye.
    According the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Office, more than 31 people have died and around 100, 000 left homeless, by severe flooding that has affected Niger since mid-July.
    In some of Niamey's streets, which are still under water, people make they way though flooded streets, walking knee deep in water, while carrying the few belongings they managed to save.

    "We have experienced many floods before, but it has never been this bad," said Niamey resident, Hassan Dombaye.
    Displaced people in Niamey are taking shelter in schools across the capital, like this one in the neighbourhood of Harobanda.

    "We were caught unaware by the rain in the middle of the night. We only had time to carry our children to safety, but we lost all our belongings. Blankets, documents, food, dishes, mats. We lost everything. The house fell on two people who were admitted in hospital," said Fourera Abdou, a mother of five, who lost her house in the floods.
    The Meteorological Office of Niger has warned that heavy rains are expected to continue until the end of the month.
    Abdelkarim Traore, director of the Meteorological Office, says that although the rains have caused devastating effects, in a country already suffering from a severe food crisis, the rains may help alleviate hunger.

    "It is true that these rains have caused floods, and although it had some dramatic consequences for the people, and often tragic as you know, it's still better to have rain than not to get it," he said.
    Nigerien authorities have appealed for emergency aid, of more than 2,379 tons of food, needed for the next two weeks, for more than 39, 000 families across the country.
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