15 Dead in Rainstorm in Chad

A devastating rainstorm in Chad has left 15 people dead, including 14 schoolchildren, after lightning struck a school in the semi-arid eastern region of Ouaddai.

The tragic incident occurred during the night of September 4-5, when heavy rains swept through the area.

Local authorities confirmed in a statement that a lightning strike hit the school, causing the deaths and leaving several others injured.

The regional governor added that the harsh weather conditions also led to the collapse of a house, further contributing to the fatalities.

This comes as Chad faces severe flooding from continuous heavy rains. The United Nations recently issued a warning about the impact of torrential downpours and extensive flooding in the region, with Chad being one of the hardest-hit countries.

According to UN reports, over 246,000 people have been affected by flooding in recent weeks.

The UN has urged for immediate action and sufficient funding to address the growing climate crisis, which has exacerbated the severity and frequency of extreme weather events in Chad and other vulnerable nations.