Nearly 100 people remain missing a week after devastating floods tore through a town in central Nigeria, the national emergency agency stated on Wednesday, adding to the 160 confirmed deaths as hopes for survivors diminish.
Heavy rainfall unleashed waters that destroyed homes and overwhelmed drainage systems in Mokwa, located about 270 km west of Abuja, marking one of Africa’s most populous country’s deadliest floods.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but damaged roads and bridges are hindering access, according to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), which has enlisted the Nigeria Red Cross, police, and army for assistance.
NEMA also warned of a “heightened risk of disease outbreaks due to overcrowding and contaminated water sources.”
Habiba Abdulahi, a 27-year-old resident, tragically lost four of her five children in the floods and expressed hope for the recovery of their bodies.
The United Nations Children’s Fund in Nigeria has deployed a team to provide essential healthcare services, including for pregnant women.
Nigeria frequently experiences floods during its rainy season, which typically runs from April to October.
