Flooding has affected the Assaba and Hodh Ech Chargui regions of Mauritania after days of heavy rainfall.

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani recently visited flood-hit areas of Hodh Ech Chargui during which a package of assistance measures was approved for affected residents.

The region has seen heavy rainfall since 01 September, resulting in floods in Bassiknou, Adel Begrou, Amourj and Néma. According to the Mauritania Red Crescent Society, flooding damaged infrastructure including bridges, river embankments and water supply. It is estimated that around 10,000 people from 1,380 households are affected, with over 700 people homeless. Three fatalities were reported.

Meanwhile local media reported flooding in Assaba Region on 13 September 2020. Four people have reportedly died and 1 is missing after floods in Barkeol, which lies around 700km west of Bassiknou.

Flooding affected southern parts of the country in August last year, when 5 people died. The regions of Brakna and Assaba were affected by floods in 2017, leaving at least 18 people dead.