Niger’s government has announced a delay to the start of the new school year due to severe flooding caused by heavy rains. Originally set for October 2, the school year for nearly 4.5 million pupils will now begin on October 28. The decision comes after torrential downpours since June have wreaked havoc across the country, leaving many schools damaged or occupied by displaced flood victims.
The central-southern region of Maradi has been hit hardest, with around 100 temporary shelters set up in schools to house those affected. According to the interior ministry’s latest figures, the flooding has claimed 273 lives—121 by drowning and 152 from collapsing homes—and has impacted over 700,000 people nationwide.
In response, the government has provided more than 9,700 tonnes of grain to eight flood-affected regions and insists that the situation is “under control.”
The intense rains have also caused significant damage to key historical sites, including a mid-19th century mosque in Zinder and parts of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Agadez.
Niger’s rainy season, typically from June to September, has grown increasingly destructive in recent years. Experts attribute the worsening conditions to climate change, which is fueling more frequent and severe weather events in the region.
