Rains, flooding kill at least 44 in Niger

Niger's government says torrential rains have left at least 44 people dead in the capital and other parts of the west African country.

Col.AboubacarBako, director general of Civil Protection and Disasters, said Tuesday that hundreds of homes were destroyed in rains just outside Niamey on Monday. He saidthe rains began Saturday in the capital and surrounding areas.

Saley Abdouhe, head of Gabougoura village, has appealed to residents in at-risk areas to evacuate and take shelter in schools. He saidthe main cause of flooding is the obstruction of drainage channels.

Some neighbourhoods have dug ravines to ease the damage.

The government is providing emergency food assistance, and aid organizations are providing shelter and other immediate help.