The loss of life toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Nigeria’s central state of Niger has climbed to not less than 151, native authorities mentioned on Saturday.
Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Administration Company, informed Xinhua by phone that over 50 extra our bodies have been recovered on Saturday within the Mokwa space, the place the catastrophe occurred.
Hussaini mentioned 11 injured folks have been rescued and despatched to a close-by hospital.
“To date, 318 folks have been affected, and not less than 503 households have additionally been impacted.”
He added that the seek for our bodies is ongoing, with native divers and volunteers helping within the rescue operation.
Heavy downpours late Wednesday night time wreaked havoc throughout Mokwa, submerging and sweeping away scores of residential properties, some with occupants nonetheless inside, Hussaini informed reporters on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the Nigerian Meteorological Company issued forecasts warning of thunderstorms and heavy rains within the nation’s central area, together with Niger. Extra rainfall is anticipated over the subsequent 24 hours, with localised downpours additionally predicted within the southern area.
The Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (NEMA) mentioned on Tuesday that it had intensified efforts to mitigate the influence of seasonal flooding nationwide, Xinhua information company reported.
Talking at a nationwide sensitisation marketing campaign on flood preparedness, Zubaida Umar, director common of NEMA, urged all ranges of presidency to spend money on drainage methods, dams, and flood-resilient infrastructure in riverine areas.
The flooding incident within the central city of Mokwa in Niger State occurred on Wednesday night time and continued into Thursday morning. Days later, rescuers have been nonetheless choosing by means of mud and particles in quest of our bodies.
Nigeria is vulnerable to flooding through the wet season, which started in April.
In 2022, the nation’s worst wave of floods in additional than a decade killed greater than 600 folks, displaced round 1.4 million, and destroyed 440,000 hectares (1.09 million acres) of farmland.