Over 100 Dead as Floods Devastate Mokwa, Niger State; Rescue Efforts Ongoing

At least 111 people have been confirmed dead following catastrophic flooding in Mokwa, a market town in Niger State, Nigeria. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains and exacerbated by a dam collapse in a nearby town, submerged large parts of the area, displacing thousands and destroying homes.

Rescue teams continue to recover bodies, with the death toll expected to rise as efforts persist. The flooding has rendered many residents homeless, forcing them to seek shelter in safer areas. 

Mokwa, located approximately 220 kilometers west of Abuja, serves as a key trading hub connecting northern food producers with southern markets. The flooding has disrupted this vital economic link, raising concerns about food supply chains.

Local authorities attribute the severity of the disaster to poor infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems. The chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, has called on the government to implement long-overdue climate resilience measures, including the construction of proper waterways.

This incident underscores Nigeria's vulnerability to seasonal floods and the pressing need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and infrastructure development to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters.