Heavy Rains Isolate Niamey, Cause Widespread Damage

Children wave and joke as they cross a makeshift walkway running along a street that remains flooded throughout the rainy season, in Niamey, Niger Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.Heavy Rains Isolate Niamey, Cause Widespread Damage

Niamey, Niger – Torrential rains have severely disrupted Niamey, Niger’s capital, leaving it isolated from the rest of the country. The intense downpour from the past week has caused widespread destruction, particularly affecting the village of N’Dounga Tarey, located about fifteen kilometers from Niamey.

The rains have left numerous homes in ruins. Idrissa Issoufou Souley, a local resident, reported that over twelve houses in N’Dounga Tarey collapsed due to the flooding. While there were no fatalities, the damage to homes and fields of millet and rice has been significant.

The situation has worsened transportation to Niamey. Key roads leading to the capital have been severed, with two major routes completely submerged. This has led to a severe shortage of essential goods, including fuel. Maazou Aboubacar Oumani, the Commercial Director of SONIDEP, explained that the main supply routes are impassable due to submerged bridges, causing a critical supply chain disruption.

Fuel shortages are now affecting daily life, with some gas stations running out of fuel entirely. Chamsou Moussa Oumarou, a taxi driver, expressed frustration, saying he has been unable to refuel for several days and is forced to park his vehicle due to the shortage.

Authorities have been working to restore access and resupply the affected areas. Aissatou Harouna Faran Maiga, the mayor of Kollo town, confirmed that efforts to reopen routes have provided relief, ending over a week of severe isolation for both Kollo and Niamey.

Since June, floods have caused nearly 200 deaths across Niger and have led to significant material losses, exacerbating shortages and affecting infrastructure throughout the country.

Source: Africa News