The flash flood triggered by heavy rains has destroyed the state of central Nigeria, Kill at least 150 The evacuation of people and thousands from Thursday, and rescue activists say the toll may rise.
Search and rescue operations are underway as the roads are damaged and the houses are being destroyed when the bodies are believed to be leading the Niger River.
Here’s what to know about the flood and how Nigeria is affected by such events.
What areas are flooded in Nigeria?
The Flash flood has hit Mokwa, the market town in the North-Madhya Niler state of Nigeria. It followed Severe rain According to the Nigerian Red Cross Society, 3 pm (02:00 GMT) started on Thursday morning.
Mokwa is an important meeting and transport center for southern traders and northern food growers. It is about 350 km (217 miles) through the eastern road of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Mokwa has an estimate Population Of the 400,000, Niger is the fourth largest state in the country, consisting of more than Belgium or Switzerland.
How many people are dead?
It has been hampered that more than 150 people were killed while rescue teams were recovering bodies and looking for missing people.
The number of true death Possible It is believed that many victims have been descended from the Niger River, reported by Al Jajira’s Ahmad Idris, Mokwa.
“The common thing is that when an officer tells you that 151 people are dead or missing, you are likely to multiply it by two, three or four,” he said.
According to Ibrahim Adu Hussaini, a spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, at least 3,018 people have been displaced, 265 houses have been destroyed and two bridges have been washed away in floods.
Gidian Adamu, head of the state of the state, Gidian Adamu, told AFP news agency on Saturday that 121 of the injured were in the hospital and more than 100 people were missing.
“We can’t give up the search until families are shouting,” Adamu said.
Farida Awalu, the only survivor of the family of 16, lost seven children in the flood. Farida’s bodies were found and buried.
“My wish is to look at the rest of the bodies and give them a decent tomb,” he told Al Jajira.
What is the cause of flooding in Nigeria?
Experts said that the frequency and intensity of floods in Nigeria has increased due to climate change, uncontrolled construction and poor drainage infrastructure.
Mokwa residents said, “The biggest problem of upstream, perhaps the dam has exploded, but so far, the authorities are not visiting it.” The state of the Niger has three major dams – Kajji, Jebba and Shiroro, while the fourth is under construction.
Nigeria’s flood risk analyst Ugonna Enkunonvo said that despite the flood risks, there is a lack of political Ich WILL to implement solutions. “The amount of rain you expect in a year is probably in one or two months, and people are not ready for that kind of rain,” he told Al Jajira.
Many areas of the country There is no proper drainage Systems and existing ones are often covered with waste, causing water to accumulate in the streets during heavy rains. Additionally, rapid urban development without proper plan is responsible for the construction of buildings in flood -affected areas, reducing the natural capacity of the land that absorbs water. Deforestation for agriculture and development further reduces the ability of the earth to soak the rain and increases the flow of water on the earth.
Local leaders and residents are calling for state and federal authorities to interfere with long -term support and infrastructure to rebuild their communities and protect them from flooding.
“The authorities have issued warnings to people who have been exposed to more grounds or communities living on the banks of the river, especially in the rain, but every year, we continue to damage more lives and property,” Idris said.
How are the authorities respond?
Emergency Services – National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Niger State Emergency Management Organization, Nigerian Red Cross and local volunteers – are involved in search and rescue operations.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered an emergency response, including assistance and temporary shelter.
“There are search-and-healing operations, and all the relevant federal agencies are equipped to support the efforts of the state government,” Tinubu wrote in the post of social media on Saturday.
However, damaged roads and bridges have complicated the rescue and recovery efforts.
Some survivors are struggling to seek basic assistance. “No one has brought any money or food to help the victims. As you can see, there is no place to sleep for many,” Hasan told Al Jajira at Mokwa.
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What is the latest natural disaster in Nigeria?
In September, severe flooding in the northwestern city Licker In the state of Borno, the city sank two -thirds of the city, killing at least 30 people and moving about half a million.
More than 200 inmates also escaped from the flooded jail. The disaster was caused by the severe rainfall of the weeks and the collapse of the Alou Dam in the northeastern Nigeria.
Across the country in 2024, floods killed and displaced over 1,200 people 1.2 million At least 31 in 36 states, according to Nema.
What states are flooded in Nigeria?
The Nigerian weather agency has warned about the potential flash flood in 15 of the 36 states in Nigeria, including Niger, from Nigeria to Friday.
In the south, the lowlands such as the Balsa, the rivers and the delta region are frequently flooded by their coastal spaces. In the north, the states of the cuckoo, Benue and Borno are also flooded because they are in major rivers.
Country Rainy season Usually starts until mid -May in April and August is wet month until October. Heavy rainfall during this period causes problems every year because it destroys the infrastructure and is exacerbated by inadequate drainage.
Idris said the flooding was common in the Nigerian rainy during during, but now it is not the peak of rain. “In some states, the rain was only for a month, but we were looking at it.”
