Floods leave hundreds dead and missing in central Nigeria after heavy rains
At least 200 people are confirmed dead and more than 500 remain missing after torrential rain triggered Nigeria’s worst flooding in decades, overwhelming the central town of Mokwa.
Azeezat Olaoluwa and Cecilia Macaulay report for the BBC.
In short:
- Flash floods swept through Mokwa’s Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts after a powerful rainstorm, displacing residents and destroying homes and businesses.
- Rescue operations have stopped, with local officials saying no further survivors are expected to be found; survivors shared stories of losing family members and livelihoods.
- Relief efforts are underway as Nigeria’s emergency agency and the Red Cross respond to road damage, economic disruption, and the threat of disease from decomposing bodies.
Key quote:
"I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim."
— Adamu Yusuf, Mokwa resident who lost his wife and newborn baby in the floods
Why this matters:
Flooding has become a recurring nightmare for Nigeria during its rainy season, but the scale and intensity of recent disasters point to deeper environmental and infrastructural problems. Warming temperatures can intensify rainfall, while aging dams, unplanned settlements, and deforestation make communities more vulnerable to catastrophic flash floods. Rural areas like Mokwa often lack the resources for early warnings or adequate drainage systems, turning seasonal rains into lethal events. The resulting deaths, economic losses, and displacement compound long-term social pressures in a country already facing instability. With climate patterns becoming more erratic, events like this could become more frequent and severe, especially in regions where infrastructure fails to keep pace with population growth.
