The catastrophic floods in Mokwa, Nigeria, have led to more than 200 fatalities, with 500 individuals reported missing. Survivors recount harrowing experiences as authorities halt rescue efforts, fearing no more lives can be saved. Relief efforts are underway, but the impact on the local economy and community is profound.
Nigeria's Devastating Floods Claim Over 200 Lives, Search for the Missing Continues
Nigeria's Devastating Floods Claim Over 200 Lives, Search for the Missing Continues
The recent floods in Mokwa, Niger State, have left a trail of destruction, with more than 200 confirmed dead and hundreds still unaccounted for as rescue operations struggle against the aftermath.
The devastating floods in the Nigerian town of Mokwa, which struck on Thursday, have resulted in the loss of over 200 lives, as reported by local officials. Presently, around 500 individuals remain unaccounted for amid ongoing search and rescue efforts. Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of the Mokwa Local Government, disclosed that rescue operations have been suspended due to the grim belief that there are no remaining survivors.
These floods are being characterized as the worst the region has experienced in the last six decades, following torrential rains that overwhelmed communities including Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa. In light of concerns regarding potential disease spread, authorities, led by Mokwa's district head Muhammadu Aliyu, plan to exhume bodies buried beneath the floodwaters.
Residents have shared their harrowing experiences, including Adamu Yusuf, who witnessed the loss of his wife and newborn child to the raging waters, stating, "I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim." Another local, Saliu Sulaiman, lamented the destruction of his business profits, which amounted to approximately $1,500, urging his survival instincts to keep him from retrieving his lost earnings.
In response to the disaster, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun distributing relief supplies to those affected. According to NEMA, the floods have also damaged infrastructure, including roads and bridges, disrupting both the local economy and transportation.
The Nigerian Red Cross issued a statement acknowledging the significant loss of life and the widespread distress caused by these floods. While flooding is a common occurrence during Nigeria's rainy season, which lasts from April to October, the severity of the current situation brings to mind similar devastating floods in previous years, with over 600 deaths recorded in 2022 alone and millions displaced.
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