Floods Kill at Least 111 as Northern Nigeria Battles Climate…

Severe flooding in northern Nigeria has killed at least 111 people in Mokwa. Heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, with fears that the death toll may rise. Local officials highlight the necessity for flood-control infrastructure as communities face challenges from climate change and prolonged dry spells, on top of the recent crisis exacerbated by Boko Haram insurgency.

In northern Nigeria, devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 111 people, following heavy rains that hit the market town of Mokwa, officials reported on Friday. The floods, described as torrents of water that began in the predawn hours, resulted in significant destruction, with authorities fearing that the confirmed death toll could rise. The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency has yet to release specific rainfall totals for the area following the storm that struck after midnight on Thursday.

Communities in this region have increasingly faced long dry spells, which are now compounded by the impacts of climate change. This, along with excessive rainfall, has led to catastrophic flooding during the normally short wet season. Reports on social media revealed heartbreaking scenes, with floodwaters engulfing entire neighborhoods and homes. Residents struggled waist-deep in murky water, attempting to salvage possessions or rescue those trapped.

Additionally, Niger State emergency agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu Husseini informed The Associated Press about delays in counting bodies. “More bodies have just been brought and are yet to be counted,” he explained. Mokwa, located nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Abuja, serves as a key trading hub where southern traders source food from northern farmers, making the flooding even more poignant.

The chairman of Mokwa’s local government area, Jibril Muregi, emphasized the urgent need for flood-control infrastructure. He lamented the lack of proactive measures and noted, “This critical infrastructure is essential to mitigating future flood risks and protecting lives and property.” In September, another episode of severe flooding, worsened by a dam failure in Maiduguri, tragically resulted in more than 30 deaths and displaced millions, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis fueled by Boko Haram insurgency.

In summary, northern Nigeria is reeling from severe flooding events that have resulted in at least 111 fatalities as of now. The ongoing challenges posed by climate change, combined with heavy rainfall, have significantly impacted local communities. Officials are calling for critical infrastructure improvements to prevent future incidents, highlighting the urgency of addressing this growing crisis.

Original Source: www.news4jax.com