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Heavy rains lead to Senegal floods, government reports several deaths

By Thomson Reuters Oct 5, 2026 | 11:35 AM

DAKAR, Oct 5 (Reuters) – Heavy rains flooded roads and destroyed buildings over the weekend in Senegal, as the ​government said several people had been ‌killed and warned of more rain to come.

• Flash floods in the capital Dakar and elsewhere disrupted traffic, testing the West African country’s infrastructure weeks ‌before ​it hosts the 2026 ⁠Summer Youth Olympics, ⁠starting on October 31.

• Local media reported that a mother and her child had been killed in the Parcelles Assainies ​area of Dakar after their home was flooded.

• The Interior Ministry reported deaths ⁠and injuries in ⁠Dakar and the northeastern town of ​Matam. It said a building had collapsed ​in the southern town of Kaolack.

• Prime ‌Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo said there was a high probability of more rain on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

• He ⁠also said this week’s start of the school year could be postponed if floodwaters did not ⁠recede.

• Senegal’s ‌meteorological agency ANACIM said ⁠the town of Rufisque, just outside ​Dakar, ‌and the town of Ranerou ​in the ⁠Matam region had recorded 142 mm of rain in 24 hours. Dakar’s Yoff district recorded 138 mm.

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian and Diadie Ba; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and ​Kevin Liffey)