Mali Declares National Disaster Amid Devastating Floods

Mali has declared a state of national disaster in response to floods that have killed 30 people and affected over 47,000 since the rainy season began. The West and Central Africa region often experiences severe flooding between June and September. Over 716,000 people have been affected so far this season, with above-average rainfall expected.

Mali has declared a state of national disaster following devastating floods that have resulted in 30 fatalities and impacted more than 47,000 people since the onset of the rainy season, as reported by the council of ministers.

The West and Central Africa region typically faces flooding of varying severities from June through September, driven by rains sweeping through the Sahel belt, the area bordering the southern Sahara desert.

This season alone, flooding has afflicted over 716,000 individuals across the region. Expectations are for above-average cumulative rainfall, according to a mid-August report by the U.N's humanitarian agency OCHA.

(With inputs from agencies.)