The tragic aftermath of the recent floods that devastated the Mokwa Local Government Area has claimed at least 153 lives, with the death toll continuing to rise as rescue operations continue. The floods, which struck a few days ago, have left entire communities submerged and thousands of residents displaced.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed on Sunday that the death toll had increased significantly from the previous count of 115. Ibrahim Hussaini, Acting Director General of NSEMA, reported that additional bodies were found under the bridge in Mokwa late on Saturday and were promptly buried on Sunday morning. The flood has affected 3,018 people, spanning 503 households, with the injured number reaching 11. Tragically, three bridges have also been damaged in the region.
The flooding has taken a heavy toll on both Mokwa and surrounding areas. In the nearby town of Ndayako, 98 people have been affected, with 58 homes damaged. However, there have been no fatalities in Ndayako. In Raba, another affected area, five houses have been damaged, and one bridge was destroyed, but no deaths have been reported.
The rainstorm, which began on Wednesday night and persisted into Thursday, has overwhelmed the region’s infrastructure. The floods displaced more than 3,000 people, many of whom are still searching for missing loved ones. At least 121 people are reported to be injured and more than 100 remain missing.
The ongoing heavy rains are not unusual for Nigeria’s rainy season, which stretches over six months. However, experts have warned that climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as the floods that have caused devastation across the country.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had previously issued warnings about the likelihood of flash floods, and this event serves as a stark reminder of the recurring challenges that Nigeria faces every rainy season due to inadequate drainage systems, urban planning issues, and poor infrastructure.
The Struggle to Reach Missing Persons
Despite the devastation, rescue efforts are continuing. Roadways in Mokwa remain submerged, making it difficult for rescue teams to access affected areas. Residents of the town, located approximately 350 kilometers from the Nigerian capital, Abuja, have been tirelessly searching for relatives. In some instances, families are missing up to a dozen members.
Adamu, the head of the Red Cross in the region, stated, “We can’t give up the search as long as there are families crying out. If there are bodies carried away by the floodwaters, we’ll find them in the farmland on the Jebba side.”
In addition to the residential destruction, many individuals were trapped when a mosque in Mokwa collapsed as the rains intensified. A large group of travelers who were staying at the mosque when the rains hit have been unaccounted for, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
The Role of Climate Change and Infrastructure Deficiencies
As the search for survivors and missing persons continues, experts point to climate change as a key driver of the intensifying storms that have caused flooding in recent years. Nigeria’s infrastructure, often inadequate for handling heavy rainfall, continues to pose challenges in mitigating flood impacts. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has stated that this tragic event highlights the critical need for improved urban planning, drainage systems, and regulation of construction in flood-prone areas.
“We’ve learned that building homes on waterways and neglecting to clear drainage channels can have catastrophic consequences,” a NEMA spokesperson remarked in a statement.
The destruction has left many residents like Mohammed Tanko, a 29-year-old civil servant, devastated. Tanko pointed to the ruins of his childhood home and said, “We lost at least 15 family members from this house. Everything is gone. We lost everything.”
Government and Local Relief Efforts
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has pledged support for the disaster relief efforts, with security forces and local agencies working together to assist affected communities. The government’s emergency response team is providing shelter, medical aid, and food to those displaced by the floods.
Looking Ahead: The Continuing Fight Against Flooding
As the rainy season continues, scientists are warning that such extreme weather events are likely to increase in frequency due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. Nigeria faces a monumental challenge in improving its infrastructure to protect citizens from the recurring threat of flooding. The government, local authorities, and citizens will need to work together to prevent future disasters and mitigate the impacts of floods in vulnerable communities like Mokwa.