Nigeria: Major flood toll passes through 150
Local emergency services reported that more than 150 people increased due to the floods of widespread floods in Central Nigeria.After the first torrential rains in the week, flood waters in the market city of Mokwa in Central Niger State have flowed more than 50 houses.Niger State Emergency Agency spokesman Ibrahim Adu Hussaini told the AFP on Friday that he was “expected to grow significantly from toll as there are different rescue teams at different places.”Additionally, more than 3,000 people have been displaced.
Said Tinubu provides condolences:
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the affected people and said that federal agencies were instructed to help in emergency response.On social media, he said, “I express my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of the Niger state in this difficult time.”“Search-and-rescue operations continue, and all relevant federal agencies have been collected to support the state government’s efforts,” Tinu said. “Relief material and temporary shelter aid are being deployed without delay.”
Why is the flood in Nigeria so dangerous?
Mokwa is a major local center for traders of the south of the country and farmers from the north. It is located about 220 km (140 mi) to the west of the capital Abuja.The flood was started with heavy rains of several hours, extending the collapse of a nearby dam.The meteorological agency of Nigeria warned of potential flash floods in 15 out of 36 states in Nigeria including Niger state between Wednesday and Friday.The rainy season of Nigeria has only started and usually lasts for about six months.The annual event regularly kills hundreds of people. Lack of drainage, construction of houses on waterways and dumping of waste in drains and water channels make all the floods worse.Nigeria faced one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flood killing over 1,200 people and another 1.2 million displaced.Floods affecting 31 out of 36 states of the country also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres).
