Heavy rains and serious flooding at the end of August caused destruction of infrastructure in several parts of Niger. In the capital, Niamey, the authorities order thousands to leave their houses. Since the start of the rainy season in May, torrential rains and resulting floods in the country has caused more than 40 deaths, with more than 82,000 people affected. Last week, over 100mm of rain were recorded in Niamey.
The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters has been activated three times in the past two days to provide satellite imagery and maps regarding floods in Niger, Senegal and Nigeria. West African nations experience torrential rains during their annual rain season, but this season has been reported as the worst in 50 years.
Drought is often the precursor to disaster, but getting leads on its stealthy approach through remote or war-torn areas can be so difficult that relief agencies sometimes have little time to react before a bad situation becomes a calamity.
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