Death Toll Surges to Over 200 in Nigeria Floods, Rescue Efforts Ceased

Flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria has resulted in over 200 deaths, a drastic impact on the local community with many injuries and displacements reported. Rescue efforts have ceased, and focus has shifted to preventing disease outbreaks through exhumation. Local leaders emphasize the necessity for improved flood-control measures in light of ongoing climate change effects.

The flooding disaster in a market town of Niger state, Nigeria, has now claimed more than 200 lives, local sources confirm. Musa Kimboku, the deputy chairman of Mokwa Local Government, provided this grim update to The Associated Press on Sunday. Rescue efforts have officially halted as officials fear there may be no further survivors to locate. Current operations focus on exhuming bodies to curb possible disease outbreaks, according to Kimboku.

In addition to the fatalities, the Niger State emergency service reported injuries to at least 11 individuals and the displacement of over 3,000 residents. The floods, which surged violently within just five hours, have devastated around 500 households across three communities, leaving roofs submerged and survivors struggling waist-deep in water, attempting to salvage their belongings and help others.

The extent of the damage is significant, with two roads completely washed away and two bridges collapsing in the torrent. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued late Friday, extended his condolences and announced an emergency response initiative aimed at aiding the victims and hastening recovery efforts.

Flooding is an unfortunate reality during Nigeria’s wet season; however, communities in northern Nigeria, including Mokwa, are currently grappling with prolonged dry periods alongside increased rainfall caused by climate change. This particular flooding incident, occurring in the farming region near the River Niger, has proven to be exceptionally severe for the local community.

Local community leader Aliki Musa expressed that the villagers were unprepared for such extreme flooding scenarios. Moreover, Jibril Muregi, the chair of Mokwa local government area, emphasized that the construction of necessary flood-control measures has long been stalled and is now urgently needed.

In conclusion, the devastating floods in Mokwa, Nigeria, have resulted in a tragic death toll exceeding 200, with a significant number of people injured and many displaced. Ongoing efforts to prevent disease outbreaks through the exhumation of bodies highlight the dire situation. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, local leaders call for urgent intervention to address flood-control infrastructure needs, which have been neglected for too long.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com