Rescuers report Nigeria floods leave 30 dead, 400,000 displaced
In the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, catastrophic flooding has led to the deaths of at least 30 individuals and displaced 400,000 residents, according to officials on Wednesday.
TroibNews 
Devastating floods in Maiduguri, located in northeastern Nigeria, have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people and displaced approximately 400,000 residents, according to official statements on Wednesday.
"The death toll is 30," said Ezekiel Manzo, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), speaking to AFP following the breach of a dam that led to widespread destruction throughout Borno state's capital.
"The situation in Maiduguri is quite frightening," remarked Zubaida Umar, another NEMA representative.
The floodwaters have inundated nearly 40 percent of Maiduguri, leaving residents without homes and dispersed in various locations.
"From our statistics, we have 414,000 displaced people," Umar mentioned during an interview with the BBC's Hausa language service, noting that the figures could rise to one million if the situation worsens.
Tuesday's statement from the UN refugee agency highlighted that this flood is the most severe the city has seen in three decades.
Maiduguri, a focal point of an ongoing jihadist insurgency for over ten years, plays a central role in addressing the humanitarian needs of the region.
NEMA reported that the flood was caused by the failure of the Alau dam along the Ngadda River, situated 20 kilometers south of Maiduguri. The catastrophic event affected over 23,000 households and more than 150,000 individuals due to rapidly rising water levels.
"We have also sent our mobile clinics with medical supplies along with medical doctors from the military hospital to attend to the displaced in the camps who need medical care. This is important because the main hospital in Maiduguri has also been affected by the flood," Umar explained.
"We have provided canoes and fishermen who have been going into flooded communities and rescuing residents who are trapped. We have deployed our water trucks to provide clean water because we are concerned about the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases," she continued.
"I never pray for even my enemy to experience such a thing," expressed Aisha Aliyu, a resident who managed to find refuge in one of the eight camps set up by NEMA.
Another affected local, Maryam Musa, voiced her plight, "I have nowhere to go," revealing that she had lost contact with her family members.
"I haven't seen any of them, even my siblings, both young and old, and I can't reach them on the phone. We are appealing to the governor to help us," she added.
In response, Borno state governor Babagana Umara Zulum, after visiting a displacement camp, announced financial aid and relief distribution plans. The need to repair and fortify the dam was also highlighted.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, a native of Maiduguri, made a visit to the affected area on Tuesday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his "condolences" to those impacted by the floods.
As per NEMA's latest data, the ongoing rainy season has inflicted fatalities on 229 people and displaced over 380,000 nationwide.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
"The death toll is 30," said Ezekiel Manzo, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), speaking to AFP following the breach of a dam that led to widespread destruction throughout Borno state's capital.
"The situation in Maiduguri is quite frightening," remarked Zubaida Umar, another NEMA representative.
The floodwaters have inundated nearly 40 percent of Maiduguri, leaving residents without homes and dispersed in various locations.
"From our statistics, we have 414,000 displaced people," Umar mentioned during an interview with the BBC's Hausa language service, noting that the figures could rise to one million if the situation worsens.
Tuesday's statement from the UN refugee agency highlighted that this flood is the most severe the city has seen in three decades.
Maiduguri, a focal point of an ongoing jihadist insurgency for over ten years, plays a central role in addressing the humanitarian needs of the region.
NEMA reported that the flood was caused by the failure of the Alau dam along the Ngadda River, situated 20 kilometers south of Maiduguri. The catastrophic event affected over 23,000 households and more than 150,000 individuals due to rapidly rising water levels.
"We have also sent our mobile clinics with medical supplies along with medical doctors from the military hospital to attend to the displaced in the camps who need medical care. This is important because the main hospital in Maiduguri has also been affected by the flood," Umar explained.
"We have provided canoes and fishermen who have been going into flooded communities and rescuing residents who are trapped. We have deployed our water trucks to provide clean water because we are concerned about the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases," she continued.
"I never pray for even my enemy to experience such a thing," expressed Aisha Aliyu, a resident who managed to find refuge in one of the eight camps set up by NEMA.
Another affected local, Maryam Musa, voiced her plight, "I have nowhere to go," revealing that she had lost contact with her family members.
"I haven't seen any of them, even my siblings, both young and old, and I can't reach them on the phone. We are appealing to the governor to help us," she added.
In response, Borno state governor Babagana Umara Zulum, after visiting a displacement camp, announced financial aid and relief distribution plans. The need to repair and fortify the dam was also highlighted.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, a native of Maiduguri, made a visit to the affected area on Tuesday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his "condolences" to those impacted by the floods.
As per NEMA's latest data, the ongoing rainy season has inflicted fatalities on 229 people and displaced over 380,000 nationwide.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
