Death Toll Reaches At Least 200 in Nigerian Town Submerged in Floods

At least 200 people have died due to severe flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria. Rescue operations have been halted, and over 3,000 individuals are displaced. President Tinubu has initiated emergency responses to assist victims amid alarming infrastructure damage and heightened disease risks.

ABUJA, Nigeria – The devastating floods in Mokwa, a market town located in Nigeria’s north-central state of Niger, have resulted in at least 200 fatalities, according to a local official. Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of Mokwa Local Government, confirmed this grim milestone in a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday. In a concerning development, rescue operations have been suspended, as authorities appear to believe that all survivors have been accounted for.

With the threat of disease outbreaks looming large, officials are now engaged in exhuming bodies that were tragically buried beneath debris. Ibrahim Audu Husseini, a spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, reported on Saturday that at least 11 individuals sustained injuries, while more than 3,000 residents have been displaced due to the disaster.

The flooding, which occurred rapidly within a span of approximately five hours, impacted an estimated 500 households across three communities. Eyewitnesses describe a scene where only the roofs of homes can be seen, as inhabitants wade through waist-deep water, attempting to salvage their possessions and aid one another. Additionally, significant infrastructure damage has been observed, with two roads washed away and two bridges collapsing under the deluge.

In light of this tragedy, President Bola Tinubu emphasized his condolences in a statement issued late Friday. He stated that steps have been taken to activate an emergency response aimed at supporting the victims and hastening recovery efforts. Flooding is a recurrent crisis during Nigeria’s wet season, and northern regions have recently faced lengthy dry spells worsened by climate change, which has led to intense rainfall and severe flooding during brief seasonal rains.

This particular flood event has proved to be exceptionally deadly in Mokwa, which lies adjacent to the River Niger and is primarily a farming community. Local leader Aliki Musa underscored that the villagers are not accustomed to such catastrophic floods, reflecting a sharp deviation from the norm. Jibril Muregi, the chairman of the Mokwa local government area, noted to Premium Times that infrastructure improvements for flood control have been long overdue.

In summary, the flooding in Mokwa has escalated into a major tragedy with a confirmed death toll of at least 200 individuals, halting rescue efforts as hopes for finding survivors dwindle. With significant damage to infrastructure and thousands displaced, the emergency response from the government seeks to address immediate needs while flooding patterns exacerbated by climate change raise pressing concerns for the future.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com