World
Windstorm kills 10 in Gambia, displaces hundreds
At least 10 people have died after a windstorm levelled scores of houses in Gambia’s western districts.
The National Disaster Management Authority said more than 1500 people have been displaced.
Entire families wandered around the outskirts of Gambia's capital Banjul in search of shelter on Thursday after an overnight windstorm levelled scores of houses in some of the country's western districts and claimed at least 10 lives.
"The wind destroyed the roof of my house ... and my situation is devastated because of lack of finance," said Amadou Marong, who was taken in by a neighbour after the winds carried off the sheet-metal roofing that protected him from the rain.
Many of the small African nation's coastal urban areas remained without electricity or running water on Thursday evening, after utility infrastructure was damaged by heavy winds, rain and flooding.
"Any soul lost as a result of a disaster is a big loss to the country," Sanna Dahaba, who heads Gambia's Natural Disaster Management Authority told a news conference on Thursday.
"The government is not taking the plight of citizens lightly," he said, adding that the agency would welcome any assistance from international partners.
Gambian President Adama Barrow held an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon to assess the damage and devise a response plan, a statement from his office said.
-
Sports 2 days ago
Pakistan launches ICC T20 World Cup preparations on Thursday
-
Sports 2 days ago
Babar Azam wonders amid differences with Shaheen Afridi
-
World 1 day ago
10 including army chief killed in Kenyan helicopter crash
-
Pakistan 1 day ago
Imran Khan’s interim bail extended in three cases
-
Sports 1 day ago
Fantasy roundtable: Who are the big winners from the draft?
-
Pakistan 1 day ago
Court approves plea of Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan medical checkup
-
Pakistan 2 days ago
By-elections: Two exams of intermediate postponed
-
Regional 2 days ago
Amazon is filled with garbage ebooks. Here’s how they get made.