Nigeria: Death toll from flooding has increased to 151

Abuja, May 31 (IANS). The death toll from the devastating floods in Nigeria’s middled Nigeria has increased to at least 151. Local authorities gave this information on Saturday. Ibrahim Hussaini, a spokesman for Niger’s Emergency Management Agency, told the Xinhua news agency that more than 50 bodies were recovered on Saturday. At the same time, 11 injured were rescued and sent to nearby hospital. So far, 318 people have been affected, and at least 503 families have also been affected. He said the discovery of bodies is underway and that local divers and volunteers help with rescue operations. Hussaini told reporters that heavy rain caused a devastation in Mokwa late Wednesday night, causing many houses to plunge and swept houses, some of which were still inside. Earlier this week, the Nigerian meteorological agency issued warnings about thunderstorms and heavy rain in the central region of the country, including Niger. More rainfall is expected within the next 24 hours, as well as heavy rainfall in the southern region is predicted locally. According to news agency Xinhua, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Tuesday that it has reinforced the efforts to reduce the effects of seasonal flooding across the country. In the National Awareness Campaign on Flood Preparations, Zubaida Omar, Director General of Nema, has requested all levels of government to invest in drainage systems, dams and flood infrastructure. The flood incident happened in Mokwa City of Niger Province on Wednesday night and continued until Thursday morning. A few days later, rescue workers in mud and debris are looking for bodies. There is a possibility of flooding in the rainy season starting in Nigeria from April. In the year 2022, more than 600 people in the worst floods in the country were killed in more than a decade, about 14 lakh people were displaced and 4,40,000 hectares (10.9 lakh hectare) agricultural land was destroyed. -Ians PSK/Ekd Share this Story Tags