The floods in Mokwa, North-Central Nigeria, have led to over 200 fatalities, with rescue operations proving fruitless for the 500 still unaccounted for. Witnesses share harrowing accounts of loss and destruction, while authorities scramble to provide relief amidst the devastation.
Catastrophic Floods in Nigeria Claim Over 200 Lives
Catastrophic Floods in Nigeria Claim Over 200 Lives
A devastating flood in Mokwa, Nigeria, results in a rising death toll and hundreds still missing as recovery efforts falter.
The floods that struck the Nigerian town of Mokwa on Thursday have now claimed more than 200 lives, with officials confirming that around 500 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue. The deputy chairman of Mokwa's local government, Musa Kimboku, reported to BBC that efforts have currently stalled, as hopes of finding more survivors have diminished.
Described as the worst floods experienced in the area in 60 years, the torrents swept through Mokwa as well as neighboring towns, Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, following unexpected heavy rainfall. To mitigate the risk of disease spread, local authorities plan to unearth the corpses buried in mud, according to Mokwa's district head, Muhammadu Aliyu.
Residents recounted horrific scenes of destruction, revealing the true extent of the tragedy. Adamu Yusuf shared his heart-wrenching story of losing both his wife and newborn baby to the floodwaters. "I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim," he recalled.
Another local, Saliu Sulaiman, expressed his despair, stating that the flood destroyed not only his home but also significant earnings from his cash business. "I lost at least $1,500 to the floods. It was the proceeds from the sale of my farm produce just the day before," he lamented, grappling with the trauma of witnessing his life’s work swept away.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced they are in the process of distributing relief packages to those affected by the disaster. They have also noted that key infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been heavily impacted, complicating both aid efforts and daily life for the survivors.
The Nigerian Red Cross issued a statement highlighting the extensive loss of life and the profound distress caused by the floods. Flooding is not an unusual occurrence during Nigeria’s rainy season, which extends from April to October, with previous years witnessing similar tragedies. In 2022, for instance, over 600 deaths were recorded as more than 1.3 million people were displaced due to flooding.
