Senegal delays school year after deadly flooding

Senegal postponed the start of the school year nationwide on Tuesday after heavy rain and flooding caused deaths, cut roads and affected parts of the capital Dakar.

Primary and secondary schools will now begin next Monday instead of Wednesday, the education ministry said. It said the delay was driven mainly by the need to ensure children's safety and would also allow for the cleaning, sanitation, disinfection and restoration of educational facilities.

From Friday to Monday, torrential rain flooded several regions, paralysed parts of Dakar and submerged some neighbourhoods. Several major roads were also cut off.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said Monday that the storms had caused “loss of life” but did not give a number. Multiple local media outlets reported that a mother and child were found drowned in their home in Dakar overnight Sunday to Monday.

Senegal's rainy season usually starts in June and trails off in October.