Four killed after heavy rain in Niger

At least four people were killed in the downpour hitting Niger this week, the West African country's government said on Thursday. Up to 895 houses were destroyed, 632 hectares of farmland flooded and 162 animals carried away following a strong rainfall on Wednesday in the Nigerien regions of Maradi and Tillabery, an official statement said. In the central region of Maradi, 500 km east of the capital Niamey, two people died and 598 houses were destroyed. The flood in Tillabery in the the extreme west of the country killed two people, destroyed 287 houses and 632 hectares of farmland and carried away 162 small ruminants. The governor of Tillabery region, Youssoufa Maiga, on Thursday made an appeal on national television for well wishers to come and support the affected population.