As the aftermath of one of the worst floods in 60 years continues to unfold in north-central Niger State, local communities are grappling with enormous loss and devastation.
Deadly Floods in Nigeria Claim Over 200 Lives, Hundreds Still Missing
Deadly Floods in Nigeria Claim Over 200 Lives, Hundreds Still Missing
A severe flooding disaster in Mokwa, Nigeria, has resulted in more than 200 deaths, with search efforts ongoing for 500 missing individuals.
The tragic impact of the floods, which struck Mokwa on Thursday, has left a grim toll—more than 200 lives lost, according to local officials. Rescuers are still searching for approximately 500 missing individuals from the town, as the region battles one of its worst flooding crises in over six decades.
Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of Mokwa Local Government, shared with the BBC that search efforts have largely been halted, with authorities fearing that no survivors remain. The heavy rains that triggered the floods also affected nearby towns, particularly Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa.
In response to the unfolding health crisis, authorities, led by Mokwa's district head Muhammadu Aliyu, plan to excavate graves to remove corpses buried by sediment, preempting the spread of disease in the inundated area.
Heartbreaking testimonies from survivors reveal the horrific scenes they witnessed. Adamu Yusuf, who lost his wife and newborn in the catastrophe, recounted, “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim.” In addition, resident Saliu Sulaiman lamented the financial toll—he lost approximately $1,500 in cash he had earned from selling farm produce just a day before the floods struck.
In a move to provide immediate assistance, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun distributing relief packages to affected residents. The agency has also noted significant damage to roads and bridges, further impacting the local economy and mobility.
The Nigerian Red Cross released a statement emphasizing the critical situation, describing the floods as causing "significant loss of life and widespread distress." Flooding is a recurring issue in Nigeria during the rainy season, which extends from April to October. Previous years have seen similar tragedies, including the devastating floods of 2022, which resulted in over 600 deaths and displaced 1.3 million people.
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