Catastrophic floods hit Mokwa, Nigeria. Tragically, more than 111 lives have been lost due to the torrential rains and dam collapse. Major flooding that began on Thursday has caused destruction throughout the area. It has deepened the displacement of millions and aggravated an already dire humanitarian crisis. Mokwa, located about 220 kilometers (140 miles) west of Abuja, is an important commercial center and market town. Here, southern traders directly and aggressively seek out good, healthy food from northern farmers.
The torrential downpours continued for hours, resulting in the flooding of roads, residences, and commercial structures. The disaster escalated further Fridays when a dam in a surrounding community broke, releasing even more water into the inundated region. As national and international rescue crews extend life-saving measures from their first priority of responders and victims, local authorities are still left to figure out what’s next.
Jibril Muregi, the chairman of Mokwa’s local government area, indicated that inadequate infrastructure contributed significantly to the flooding’s impact. He said better systems are needed to address both stormwater and sewer systems and control how water flows through the region.
Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesman for the Niger State emergency agency, gave the latest toll. Restorers are still rescuing bodies from the floodwaters.
“More bodies have just been brought and are yet to be counted, but we have at least 111 confirmed already,” – Ibrahim Audu Husseini.
The humanitarian situation in Mokwa is grave, with thousands of residents already having lost their homes and means of earning a living. The flooding added to challenges that have long plagued this community of color and insulted the injury wrought by the government’s inaction. Husseini isn’t asking for the future, he’s calling for action now. Tudor is asking the government to begin the “long overdue” construction of waterways in Mokwa, as part of the rival government’s climate resilience initiative.
To be clear, Nigeria has a long history of seasonal flood disasters that have devastated communities along the banks of the Niger and Benue Rivers. Mokwa has always been especially vulnerable because of its geographic location and lack of infrastructure. These repeated occurrences have recently sparked debates around the need for action to prevent flooding in the future.
