15 dead, 23,000 affected as floods hit Niger Republic

Flooding and landslips have so far left 15 people dead and affected more than 23,000 others in the Niger Republic.

The civil protection services disclosed this on Thursday.

• France increases pensions, social benefits as inflation bites
• Negotiate for your members, ASUU tells SSANU, other unions

The worst-hit regions are Zinder in the south of the arid Sahel state, followed by Maradi and Diffa, also in the south.

Niger, the world’s poorest country by the benchmark of the UN’s Human Development Index, is often hit by floods when the badly-needed rains arrive.

The season, which runs from June to August or September, has become deadlier in recent years, including in Niger’s desert north.

Last year, at least 70 people died across the country and more than 200,000 were affected, according to local and UN figures.  (AFP)