Senegal postpones school year due to deadly flooding

Senegal has postponed the start of its nationwide school year following torrential rains and destructive flooding that caused several deaths. The heavy rainfall, occurring between Friday and Monday, paralyzed parts of the capital, Dakar, submerging neighborhoods and cutting off major roads.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirmed the storms resulted in a “loss of life,” though specific figures were not immediately provided. Local reports indicated a mother and child drowned in their home in Dakar during the flooding.

The education ministry stated the postponement is intended to ensure the “safety and protection of our children” and to allow for the cleaning, sanitation, and restoration of educational facilities. Primary and secondary schools, originally scheduled to begin on Wednesday, will now start next Monday.

Meteorologists note that these extreme weather patterns are being compounded by man-made climate change and a predicted El Niño event, which is expected to reach unprecedented intensity in the coming months.