In brief
At least 110 fatalities have been reported in central Nigeria following catastrophic floods triggered by relentless rains, according to officials.
In Mokwa, the head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abullahi Baba-Arah, indicated that the downpour lasted several hours, leading floodwaters to inundate and sweep away over 50 homes, many with residents still inside. The Nigerian government's response to the tragedy was one of deep condolences, with Minister of Information Mohammed Idris stating that security and emergency services have been mobilized for ongoing search and rescue efforts.The areas hit hardest include the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts, with Mokwa's District Head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, expressing alarm, noting the community hasn’t experienced flooding of this magnitude in "60 years." He has appealed for governmental support for recovery efforts.As rescue operations continue, the risk remains high for many individuals still missing or unaccounted for. Local fisherman Danjuma Shaba, who lost his home, lamented his predicament, stating: "I don't have a house to sleep in. My house has already collapsed." Flooding is a recurring disaster in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season from April to October, affecting numerous regions. Authorities have issued warnings about further heavy rains in at least 15 states. The previous year saw similar devastation, with northern Nigeria recording heavy rainfall and flooding that resulted in substantial loss of life and displacement, affecting over 1.3 million people and claiming more than 600 lives. This ongoing crisis underscores the critical need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies in the face of worsening weather patterns.
