At least, twenty people have lost their lives in massive floods which wiped away entire villages in Niger Republic.

The floods, according to CEOAFRICA findings from sources, was caused by heavy rain with more than 50,000 people affected, especially at eastern provinces of Maradi and Zinder, as Niamey is also under serious threat.

Thousands of families, many of whom were affected by last year’s food crisis, have had their new crops destroyed just six weeks before they were due to be harvested.

Speaking about the effect of the incident, Mamoudou Madougou, Plan’s emergency response manager in Niger said,” Cereal stocks were washed away…If seedlings were planted, they have now been damaged or destroyed on flooded rice paddies.”

It is believed that situation could get worse as rains are expected to continue, although various organization has already deployed aid workers to some of the affected areas.

It was further gathered that children are the worst hit, as most of them are in need of shelter, food and sanitation. People take refuge in schools and mosques, with many in need of shelter before schools would resume inOctober.