(MENAFN) Niger has been battered by relentless torrential rains since the start of 2025, resulting in the deaths of 47 people and injuring 70 others as of August 20, the Directorate General of Civil Protection (DGPC) reported Wednesday.

The fatalities primarily stem from the collapse of homes, many constructed from vulnerable clay materials, as well as drowning incidents linked to the severe flooding. The persistent downpours have wreaked havoc on local communities, impacting a staggering 7,754 households. In addition to human casualties and displacement, the disaster has led to the loss of 257 livestock, further exacerbating the hardship faced by affected families.

The DGPC’s figures underscore the ongoing severity of the situation, which echoes the devastating impacts of the previous year. In 2024, intense rains claimed 396 lives across Niger, with more than 206,474 households affected and a staggering 158,767 homes destroyed. This data highlights a troubling trend of worsening weather-related disasters in the West African nation, raising urgent concerns about disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable regions.

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