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AT LEAST 151 people have been confirmed dead after heavy rainfall unleashed devastating flooding in the market town of Mokwa in north-central Nigeria.
More than 3,000 people have been displaced by the flooding, Niger state emergency agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu Husseini said.
He added that 265 houses were “completely destroyed” and two bridges were washed away.
Husseini also said many were still missing, citing a family of 12 where only four members had been accounted for as of Friday.
At least 500 households across three communities were affected by the pre-dawn rain that began lashing the area on Thursday, leaving roofs barely visible and residents waist-deep in water, Husseini added.
Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he has directed the activation of the national emergency response centre to quickly assist Niger state.
“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government’s efforts,” Tinubu said in a late night message.
“Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that the Nigerian Red Cross, local volunteers, the military and police were all helping in the response.
Residents were mourning the dead today as some awaited news of their missing loved ones.
They also lamented the destruction caused in the town, a major meeting point where traders from the south buy beans, onions and other food from farmers in the north.
“We lost many lives, and the properties, our farm produce. Those that have their storage have lost it,” said resident Kazeem Muhammed.
Mohammed Tanko, 29, a civil servant, pointed to a house he grew up in, telling reporters: “We lost at least 15 from this house. The property (is) gone. We lost everything.”
Describing how she escaped the raging waters, Sabuwar Bala, a 50-year-old yam vendor, told reporters: “I was only wearing my underwear, someone loaned me all I’m wearing now. I couldn’t even save my flip-flops.”
“I can’t locate where my home stood because of the destruction,” she said.
Mokwa community leader Aliki Musa said people are not used to such flooding.
The chairman of the Mokwa local government area, Jibril Muregi, told local news website Premium Times that construction of flood-control works is long overdue.
In addition to climate change, floods in Nigeria are exacerbated by inadequate drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels.
“This tragic incident serves as a timely reminder of the dangers associated with building on waterways and the critical importance of keeping drainage channels and river paths clear,” NEMA said in a statement.
With reporting from AFP and Press Association
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