Death Toll Reaches At Least 200 in Nigerian Town Submerged in Floods as Rescue Efforts Halted

Devastating floods in Mokwa, Nigeria, have claimed at least 200 lives, with local officials stating rescue operations are now concluded. More than 3,000 people have been displaced, and two roads and bridges were destroyed due to the flood waters. President Bola Tinubu has begun emergency response measures following the calamity, stressing the need for future flood mitigation efforts.

The flooding crisis in the town of Mokwa, located in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state, has intensified, with local officials now reporting a death toll of at least 200. This grim figure was confirmed on Sunday by Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of the Mokwa Local Government, who expressed that rescue efforts have ceased as searches for survivors have been deemed futile.

As part of the ongoing response, officials are in the process of exhuming bodies that were buried under debris to prevent potential outbreaks of disease. Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesperson for Niger State’s emergency response team, stated on Saturday that in addition to the fatalities, 11 more individuals have sustained injuries and upwards of 3,000 residents have been displaced.

The floods, which struck suddenly, inundated over 500 households in just a matter of hours. Reports indicate that roofs of homes were largely submerged, with survivors wading through water that reached waist-height in search of belongings and helping others in distress. Infrastructure has also been severely affected: two major roads were washed away, and two bridges collapsed due to the torrent.

In an effort to address the disaster, President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences and announced on Friday night that emergency measures would be enacted to assist the victims and expedite the recovery process. The president’s directive underlines the gravity of the situation that has unfolded in the region.

Seasonal flooding is a common occurrence during Nigeria’s wet season. However, northern communities like Mokwa have recently been grappling with lengthy dry spells, which are exacerbated by climate change and are then abruptly followed by intense rainfall causing catastrophic flooding. The current event in Mokwa, a significant agricultural area near the River Niger, has been particularly devastating.

Local leaders, including Aliki Musa, have highlighted that such severe flooding is unprecedented for their community. Jibril Muregi, the chairman of the Mokwa local government, emphasized the need for timely construction of flood-control measures, which have been long overdue and are critical to protecting residents in the future.

The recent flooding in Mokwa has resulted in a tragic loss of life and extensive displacement, prompting urgent calls for improved infrastructure and flood control measures in the region. As local communities recover from the devastation, it remains evident that drastic changes are necessary to mitigate the impact of future flooding events. National leaders are being urged to prioritize emergency responses and long-term solutions to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com