In brief
Authorities in Cape Verde have declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, prompted by deadly floods that have resulted in at least nine fatalities and displaced around 1,500 individuals from their homes. The declaration triggers access to crisis funding and emergency repairs to the impacted infrastructure in these Atlantic islands. The flooding, characterized as "catastrophic" by Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia, was induced by Tropical Storm Erin, leading to unprecedented rainfall of 193mm (7.6 inches) within just five hours, far exceeding the annual average for São Vicente.
Rescue teams are actively searching for those reported missing, while devastation has affected roads, homes, and vehicles. Meteorology experts noted these exceptional weather conditions as being unusually severe, with Ester Brito from the meteorological agency stating that the events were beyond the 30-year climate norms for the region. Interior Minister Paulo Rocha reflected on the chaos of that night, describing it as one filled with "panic and despair." Alveno Yali, a community organizer from São Vicente, highlighted the catastrophic impact of the floods as "an incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds, and flash floods". Meanwhile, the Cape Verdean diaspora, particularly from France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US, has initiated crowdfunding efforts which have already raised tens of thousands of euros to procure essential aid, such as food, water, and hygiene products. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, expressed that the entire diaspora is mobilized to deliver help directly to those in need.For more updates, follow BBC Africa on social media.
