At least 13 dead or missing after flash floods hit the Central African Republic
Image credit: Croix-Rouge Centrafricaine
Heavy rains affecting parts of the Central African Republic since July 21, 2022, left at least 13 people dead or missing and thousands of homes submerged or destroyed.
According to the provisional toll, 9 people died in Bouchia in the south, 3 in the eastern town of Bria and 1 in the capital Bangui.
People from more than 1 300 households are without shelter, with Bangui particularly affected, humanitarian action minister Virginie Baikoua told AFP.1
In just 48 hours to July 23, capital Bangui recorded 183 mm (7.2 inches) of rain, which is more than its entire July average of 147 mm (5.7 inches).
Around 250 homes collapsed and many more were damaged or flooded, leaving thousands homeless. Some of those left homeless took refuge in religious buildings or schools. There were no reports that the Ubangi River had broken its banks.2
The government and Red Cross are carrying out full damage assessments and the numbers of affected could increase.
References:
1 C.Africa floods kill 13, leave over 1,000 homeless – AFP – July 25, 2022
2 Central African Republic – Floods Cause Fatalities, Hundreds of Homes Destroyed – FloodList – July 26, 2022
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