Recent devastating floods in Mokwa, Nigeria, have resulted in over 200 confirmed fatalities, according to officials. Rescuers have given up hope for the over 500 individuals still unaccounted for, as the floods are deemed the most severe in the region in six decades, following heavy rainfall.
District head Muhammadu Aliyu announced plans to exhume bodies buried underground to curb potential disease outbreaks. Terrifying accounts from survivors depict the catastrophic scenes, with one resident, Adamu Yusuf, recounting how he lost his wife and infant to the raging waters, stating, “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim.”
Another victim, Saliu Sulaiman, lamented the destruction of his home and loss of $1,500 in farm profits, demonstrating the economic impact of the floods. Authorities suspect a nearby dam may have been responsible for the deluge, though no confirmation has been made yet. Witnesses reported that the force of the floodwaters carried bodies to other towns, complicating recovery efforts.
The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) has begun distributing relief to those affected, while the Nigerian Red Cross has highlighted the widespread tragedy caused by these floods. Such flooding is common during Nigeria’s rainy season from April to October, with previous incidents in recent years claiming numerous lives and displacing many.
Source: www.bbc.com
