West Africa: Widespread disruptions due to flooding ongoing across parts of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria as of Oct. 11

Widespread disruptions due to flooding are ongoing across parts of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria as of Oct, 11. Heavy rainfall has occurred across the region in recent days and weeks amid the ongoing rainy season and has triggered severe flooding in many areas. Authorities across the region have reported multiple casualties and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

Officials in Chad have confirmed at least 576 fatalities and nearly 2 million people have been affected by flooding since late July. central, southern, and western regions have been worst affected, including Lac, Mandoul, Moyen-Chari, Tandjilé, Mayo-Kebbi Est, and Batha provinces. Flooding along the Chari and Logone rivers has caused widespread damage in riverine communities; more than 200,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by floodwaters. Authorities in N'Djamena have warned that the Chari River continues to rise, and the peak of the flooding in the capital may occur in the coming days; parts of the city, including the 9th arrondissement, are already partially submerged by floodwaters.

Authorities in Cameroon have reported that more than 365,000 people have been affected and more than 155,000 displaced by floods since July, mostly in the Far North Region. Officials have confirmed at least 11 fatalities in the region and more than 12,500 homes and other buildings have been destroyed.

Authorities in Nigeria have reported more than 200 flood-related fatalities since mid-August, with northern regions the worst affected. More than 1.2 million people have been affected across the country and over 666,000 people have been displaced. Areas of Borno State around Maiduguri remain among the worst affected after the Alau Dam collapsed Sept. 13. Around 85,000 homes in the region have been damaged by flooding, and disease outbreaks and a heightened malnutrition crisis are ongoing.

Authorities in Niger reported more than 300 flood-related fatalities since early August. More than 1.3 million people have been affected and more than 140,000 buildings have been damaged by the floods. The worst affected areas include parts of Maradi, Zinder, Taghoua, Tillaberi, and Dosso regions. An increase in water-borne diseases such as cholera has been reported in affected areas.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are likely where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.