Chad declares emergency amid exceptional flooding

Chad’s military ruler, Mahamat Idriss Déby, has declared a state of emergency due to exceptional flooding affecting more than a million people.

In a televised speech, the general said heavy rains had hit three-quarters of the country, submerged nearly 5,000 sq km (1,930 sq miles) of fields and killed thousands of cattle.

“The situation is becoming increasingly worrying,” he said, lamenting infrastructure that has not been designed on the basis of current meteorological and hydrological data.

Deby also warned that more damage than has already been observed could occur as the floodwaters recede in the south of the country.

The most exposed areas are the city of N’Djamena, the capital, and its surroundings, he said.

“In the current conditions, the city is only protected by the banks of the Chari River,” he noted, warning of an obvious risk of overflow if the rise in water levels remains constant during this week.

He called on friendly countries and technical and financial partners to support the government’s efforts, which include a response organized around the reduction of impacts and assistance to the victims.

Floods are not uncommon during Chad’s rainy season but this year they came early and were the heaviest in decades.

Chad is the world’s third-poorest country, according to the United Nations’ Human Development Index.

Agencies