Severe weather in Thiès: The municipality assesses the losses and plans to reforest the plant heritage

In the aftermath of the heavy thunderstorms that struck Thiès on Thursday, August 20, 2026, an assessment meeting was held in the city with representatives from the various relevant technical services. The objective was to review the damage and define the emergency measures to be implemented.

Lieutenant Awa Fall, deputy head of sector of the Water and Forestry Service, presented a detailed overview of the sites affected by these extremely violent rainfalls.

On the ground, the situation is particularly worrying. The rains, accompanied by sustained gusts of wind, have caused several injuries and significant material damage in various parts of the city.

Several mahogany trees, emblematic and centuries-old trees of the railway town, were uprooted or severely damaged. Houses and sections of walls collapsed, and schools were affected, sustaining significant damage to classrooms.

These storms caused injuries to several residents, who were victims of falling trees and collapsing structures.

In light of the scale of the disasters, the mayor of the City of Thiès stressed the need to conduct a thorough territorial audit in order to identify persistent risks, strengthen the security of public spaces and ensure optimal care for those affected.

Beyond emergency relief efforts, the issue of preserving Thiès's plant heritage was also raised. A reforestation project targeting mahogany trees is being considered to restore this iconic tree canopy. Established in the urban landscape since the late 19th century—primarily since 1898—these trees constitute a major element of the city's historical and environmental identity.