By: Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is experiencing its most severe flooding since 1994, with rising waters submerging numerous homes and leaving hundreds of families displaced. The flood is attributed to the overflow of the Alau Dam, which has been filled to capacity for the past week.
Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, has issued a flooding alert, calling for the immediate evacuation of affected areas and urging residents to follow designated evacuation routes for their safety.
The last time the dam experienced a similar issue was in 1994, resulting in severe flooding that submerged nearly half of Maiduguri. This year’s flooding has already affected entire neighborhoods along the riverbanks, with most residents unable to access their homes.
The disaster has left hundreds of families sleeping outdoors, with many scrambling to salvage their belongings. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that recent floods have damaged approximately 16,488 hectares of farmland across 27 states, with over 32,000 houses destroyed and about 227,000 people impacted.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, notes that up to 51% of Nigeria’s farming areas are at risk of flooding in 2024, while the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, warns that the ongoing floods will negatively affect this year’s anticipated harvest.
📸 Ibn Maigana.