In a devastating turn of events, over 30 lives have been claimed, and approximately 1 million individuals have been severely impacted by the recent catastrophic flooding in Nigeria’s northeastern region. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency services reported these figures on Wednesday, shedding light on the scale of the disaster that unfolded after an overflowing dam led to widespread destruction in Borno State.
The Devastation in Maiduguri
“The death toll stands at 30,” announced NEMA spokesperson Ezekiel Manzo to AFP, just one day after the dam overflow wreaked havoc, sweeping away thousands of homes in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State.
Zubaida Umar, a NEMA colleague, expressed the dire situation in Maiduguri, stating, “The flood has taken over around 40% of the entire city. People have been forced out of their homes and are scattered everywhere.” The statistics are grim, with 414,000 individuals displaced and fears that the total could escalate to 1 million displaced residents as the situation evolves.
The impact has extended beyond residences, with Maiduguri’s main hospital also facing flooding. The United Nations refugee agency indicated that this is the worst flooding the city has experienced in 30 years.
Causes and Immediate Response of Floods
The flooding followed the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Maiduguri. NEMA reported that more than 23,000 households have been affected, impacting upwards of 150,000 people.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum provided an update to journalists, explaining that this estimate stems from a preliminary assessment conducted shortly after the flood struck Maiduguri. “The floods covered one-third of the city, affecting over 1 million people. It is very devastating,” Zulum noted as he distributed cash and food to thousands of displaced individuals in temporary camps.
Governor Zulum confirmed that over 100,000 individuals are currently displaced and emphasized that search and rescue efforts are ongoing. “We are distributing money and food to the heads of each family as a temporary measure to cushion the impact,” he said, adding that the government intends to form a health team to address potential emergencies once the waters recede.
The governor attributed the flooding to the collapse of the dam in the city’s outskirts and excess water released from neighboring countries, including Niger and Cameroon.
Widespread Damage and Community Impact
The destructive flood has not only displaced families but has also devastated infrastructure. It washed away animals from the local zoo and severely damaged houses, schools, hospitals, government offices, as well as commercial and religious establishments. The community is now left grappling with the immediate aftermath, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance and support.
