At least 153 people have now been confirmed dead following the devastating floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that the death toll had risen sharply from 115 after floods hit the town of Mokwa. NSEMA’s Acting Director General, Ibrahim Hussaini, said that more dead bodies were recovered late yesterday beneath the bridge in Mokwa and were subsequently buried this morning.
According to the latest figures released, a total of 3,018 individuals have been affected, comprising 503 households. The number of injured persons stands at 11, while the floodwaters have damaged three bridges.
In Ndayako, another community affected by the flooding, there were no reported deaths, although 98 people were impacted, with 58 houses and 17 households sustaining damage.
Similarly, in Raba, no deaths were reported, but five houses were affected and one bridge was damaged. The agency has continued to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating relief efforts with relevant authorities to assist affected communities.
Mokwa was hit by torrential rains Wednesday night into Thursday, with the flooding displacing more than 3,000 people, Husseini said. There were 121 injured in the hospital, Adamu said, and more than 100 people were missing.
Nigeria’s rainy season, which usually lasts six months, is just getting started for the year. Heavy rains and poor infrastructure lead to flooding that wreaks havoc every year, killing many. Scientists have also warned that climate change is fuelling more extreme weather patterns.
Story was adapted from Channels TV.
