DOUALA — Mali declared a national disaster on Friday due to the devastating floods caused by torrential rains, following an extraordinary Cabinet meeting chaired by Col. Assimi Goita, the president of the transition government.

Since the beginning of the rainy season until August 22, 2024, the country has recorded 122 cases of flooding across 17 regions and the Bamako district.

These floods have impacted 7,077 households, affecting 47,374 people, including 14,451 men, 13,576 women, and 19,347 children, according to a government statement.

The floods have resulted in 30 deaths across various regions, and cases of house collapses, lightning strikes, and strong winds have also been reported. — Agencies