Over 100 Dead As Flood Ravages Nigerian Town
Mokwa, Nigeria – At least 115 people have been confirmed dead after severe flooding hit Mokwa, a bustling market town in Niger State. Authorities fear the toll could rise as rescue teams search for missing residents.
Flash Flood Sweeps Through Mokwa
According to emergency officials, torrential rain on Wednesday night led to a catastrophic flood, submerging large parts of Mokwa. The downpour, made worse by the collapse of a nearby dam, washed people and homes into the River Niger.
“We have so far recovered 115 bodies,” said Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). “Bodies are still being found downstream, so the toll keeps rising.”
Rescue Efforts Ongoing As Warnings Ignored
Emergency workers continue efforts to reach survivors and recover the dead. But officials admit poor infrastructure and repeated neglect of warnings have made their jobs harder.
“Every rainy season, we see the same thing,” said Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris in a live report from Abuja. “Authorities advise riverbank communities to move, but many don’t because they don’t believe anything will change.”
Lack of drainage systems and unprepared local agencies often mean residents face the full force of Nigeria’s worsening rainy seasons, he added.
Town Devastated, Lives Uprooted
Mokwa is a key trade link between northern farmers and southern buyers. Now, it lies in ruins.
Civil servant Mohammed Tanko, 29, said he lost at least 15 family members. “The property is gone. We lost everything,” he said.
Danjuma Shaba, a 35-year-old fisherman, told reporters he is now sleeping in a car park. “My house has already collapsed. I don’t have a place to sleep.”
Flooding Not Yet At Its Peak
This year’s rainy season is just beginning, yet the impact has already been severe. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency warned earlier this week of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including Niger State.
“The concerning part is, this isn’t even the peak yet,” said Idris. “In some regions, rains have lasted just a month and look at the damage already.”
Climate Change And Poor Planning To Blame
Scientists and environmentalists say climate change is driving the increase in extreme weather. But poor planning is making it deadlier.
In September 2024, floods triggered by dam failure in Maiduguri killed 30 people and displaced millions. Last year’s floods were even worse: over 1,200 people died and more than a million were forced from their homes across 31 states.
Experts say unless serious action is taken—like relocating at-risk communities, reinforcing dams, and building proper drainage—Nigerians will continue to suffer devastating floods year after year.
RELATED
