Niger flooding leaves thousands homeless

NAIMEY, Niger, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- At least 17,000 people are homeless after heavy rains flooded parts of Niger.

Government officials said the remote desert town of Bilma, more than 900 miles northeast of the capital, Niamey, has been hardest hit with some 3,400 people displaced by the flooding, IRIN reported.

Another 700 people have left their homes in Ingal and Tabelot, also in the northeast region, the cabinet office statement said. In the south of Niger, heavy rains have left people homeless in and around Zinder, Madaoua and Dogon Doutchi.

The government is asking for emergency food supplies, mosquito nets and shelters.

IRIN said flooding has also been reported in Liberia and parts of southern Senegal.