Nigeria Floods Kill More Than 200 as Crisis Deepens Nationwide.
More than 200 people have died as a result of Nigeria’s disastrous floods, which authorities say are among the biggest flooding catastrophes to hit the nation in recent memory. Communities in more than 30 of the 36 states in the country have been severely damaged by torrential rains that started in early July and grew more intense throughout August and September. Important infrastructure is in ruins and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as a result of the ensuing devastation.
Entire towns have been flooded, from Lagos in the southwest to Kogi and Benue in the centre, and all the way down to Bayelsa and Anambra in the southeast. Bridges have crumbled, homes have disappeared beneath water, roads have turned into rivers, and farmlands—the backbone of many rural communities—have been decimated. Residents are using improvised boats to escape the rising waters in some locations where the flooding has been so bad that only rooftops are visible.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Nigeria reports that more than half a million people have been displaced. According to the government, over 200 people have already died, and with many more unaccounted for, the death toll could increase even further.
Niger State’s centre town of Mokwa is among the most severely affected areas. Following Thursday’s devastating floods, officials there report that the death toll has sharply increased. About 500 individuals are still unaccounted for, and at least 200 people have died. Local authorities feel there is no chance of finding anyone alive, thus the hunt for survivors has officially ceased.
Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of Mokwa Local Government, told the BBC that because to the extensive damage and dearth of fresh leads, search and rescue personnel had been obliged to suspend their activities. Muhammadu Aliyu, the district head of Mokwa, stated that in order to stop disease outbreaks, they will start excavating bodies that are buried beneath the muck.
Residents of the impacted towns, such as Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, have recounted terrifying scenes of homes collapsing, entire neighbourhoods being lost in a matter of minutes, and families being carried away by rushing waves. Residents claim that these floods are the worst to hit the region in 60 years.
Although flooding is frequent throughout Nigeria’s rainy season, which usually lasts from April to October, this year’s catastrophe is especially bad. According to experts, the region’s rainfall has increased due to climate change. However, it is not the sole factor. Water from the Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon has also been implicated by environmental scientists and officials. Excess water enters the Benue River in Nigeria when this dam is opened, and it joins other significant rivers in central and southern Nigeria.
To manage the overflow from the Lagdo Dam, a parallel dam, Dasin Hausa, was to be constructed in Adamawa State. However, that project is still unfinished decades later, and Nigeria experiences severe floods every time Cameroon opens its dam.
Uncontrolled urban growth is another problem. Natural drainage systems have been obstructed by building in numerous cities. When coupled with inadequate infrastructure, rainfall becomes a hazardous floodwater accumulation that is unmanageable by cities.
Through the National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, the Nigerian government has initiated disaster relief efforts in response to the national emergency. Displacement camps are receiving relief goods, such as food, bedding, medication, and makeshift shelters. Relief packages are being prepared for those in affected areas, including Mokwa and nearby towns, the agency said on Sunday.
However, the difficulties are becoming more severe. Many of the roads and bridges have been washed away, according to officials, making it more difficult to get to people who need help. In a statement issued on Friday, the Nigerian Red Cross said the tragedy was resulting in “significant loss of life and widespread distress.”
Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, visited a number of affected areas in the interim. She publicly called for foreign help, acknowledging that the crisis had surpassed local resources. “Much more support is required,” she stated, adding that “we are coordinating with the Red Cross and United Nations agencies.”
Agriculture has also been negatively impacted by the water. Food security in the upcoming months is at risk due to the submersion of farmlands in central and southern Nigeria. Analysts warn of rising inflation and famine as food prices continue to climb.
Health issues are also becoming more prevalent. Waterborne illnesses including cholera, typhoid, and malaria have found ideal habitats in stagnant floodwaters. Particularly for congested displacement camps with limited access to clean water and sanitary facilities, public health professionals are raising the alarm.
Abuja doctor Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke cautioned that a subsequent catastrophe might arise from the flood’s aftermath. “The immediate disaster is devastating, but the long-term displacement, hunger, and disease outbreaks that follow could be just as deadly,” he warned.
Particularly at risk are children, the elderly, and people with impairments. Thousands of pupils now lack access to instruction as schools have been converted into makeshift shelters.
Demands for long-term solutions have increased in response to Nigeria’s increasing extreme floods frequency. The government is being pressured by environmentalists to enhance drainage systems, finish abandoned dam projects, invest in flood control infrastructure, and implement urban planning regulations.
According to Nigerian climate activist Nnimmo Bassey, “there is a pattern to this.” Almost every year, we witness devastating flooding, yet there isn’t a unified national plan to stop it. We urgently require more robust institutions and climate adaption.
Additionally, lawmakers are voicing their opinions and advocating for a national flood response framework that incorporates improved emergency planning and early warning systems.
But for the time being, survival is still the major priority. Families like Aisha Ibrahim’s are attempting to make sense of the destruction in temporary shelters spread out across the nation. She is a Benue State mother of four who currently resides in a makeshift camp with her kids. She claimed, “We lost everything, including our farm, our house, and even our animals.” “All we want is to live and start over.“
Officials warn that additional storms could be on the horizon as the rainy season is predicted to last until October. Weeks may pass before the entire effects of this year’s floods are known, but one thing is certain: this disaster is already among the worst to hit Nigeria in decades.
