Latest news with #MuhammadShabaAliyu
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 151 killed in Nigerian flash flooding
May 31 (UPI) -- Torrential rains over two days caused flash flooding that killed at least 151 people in Mokwa, Nigeria. The death toll is expected to climb in the city that has a population of more than 416,000 and is located 235 miles west of the Nigerian capital of Abuja, the BBC reported Saturday. The flash flooding was Friday. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency initially reported 115 deaths but revised the number to 151 and expects to find more deceased victimsas the flood waters recede. Floodwaters swept the bodies of many victims into the Niger River that flows below the city on Thursday and Friday. More than 500 homes and 3,000 people were impacted by the flash flooding that caught local officials by surprise. Many families lost multiple members. A total of 11 people were reported as rescued and taken to local hospitals for treatment. Localized flooding was expected before the storm, but the severity overwhelmed the city. "We had to knock on some doors, but before people could escape, the flood had already caught up," shop owner Umar Jamil told The New York Times. "We have seen many bodies floating in the river, but we couldn't help," he said. It had been 60 years since a flood of such magnitude struck the city, Mokwa leader Muhammad Shaba Aliyu told the BBC. The city is located along the northern bank of the Niger River, and the floodwaters caused a local bridge to collapse into the river. The bridge's collapse left many motorists stranded as the flash flooding worsened. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered all available emergency and security personnel to "intensify ongoing search and rescue operations" in Mokwa, the BBC reported. Torrential rains began falling Wednesday and continued through Thursday, leading to Friday's deadly flash flooding. The flooding occurred near the start of Nigeria's rainy season, which lasts from April through October.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Death toll from Nigeria flash floods rises to 151
At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this week. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) confirmed to the BBC the death toll had risen sharply from 115, after floods hit the town of Mokwa. A Nsema spokesman told the BBC more than 500 households with a population in excess of 3,000 people were affected. Some families are said to have lost between two and five relatives including children. The agency warned the death toll could rise further after people were washed into the River Niger below the town. Local authorities said 11 people had been rescued and taken to hospitals for treatment. Nsema said the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts of Mokwa were worst affected. Mokwa's district head Muhammad Shaba Aliyu said it has been 60 years since the community had suffered this kind of flooding. "I beg the government to support us," Mr Aliyu said. But the officials appear to be overwhelmed by the scale of destruction as families desperately seek food and shelter. Mokwa is located at the edge of the River Niger, a transit point between the northern and southern part of Nigeria. A bridge linking the northern and south-western parts of the country has collapsed in the floods and left motorists stranded. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu directed "all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations". Torrential rain fell in the region on late Wednesday into Thursday, causing flash floods. Nigeria's rainy season is just beginning and usually lasts from April to October. Authorities have warned of heavy downpours in at least 15 of the country's 36 states. Floods kill at least 110 people after heavy rain in Nigeria Could Nigeria's careful ethnic balancing act be under threat?
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Nigeria flash floods death toll rises to at least 151
At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) confirmed to the BBC the death toll had risen sharply from 115, after floods hit the town of Mokwa.A Nsema spokesman told the BBC more than 500 households with a population in excess of 3,000 people were affected. Some families are said to have lost between two and five relatives including agency warned the death toll could rise further after people were washed into the River Niger below the town. Local authorities said 11 people had been rescued and taken to hospitals for treatment. Nsema said the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts of Mokwa were worst district head Muhammad Shaba Aliyu said it has been 60 years since the community had suffered this kind of flooding."I beg the government to support us," Mr Aliyu the officials appear to be overwhelmed by the scale of destruction as families desperately seek food and shelter. Mokwa is located at the edge of the River Niger, a transit point between the northern and southern part of Nigeria.A bridge linking the northern and south-western parts of the country has collapsed in the floods and left motorists President Bola Tinubu directed "all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations".Torrential rain fell in the region on late Wednesday into Thursday, causing flash floods. Nigeria's rainy season is just beginning and usually lasts from April to have warned of heavy downpours in at least 15 of the country's 36 states.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Floods kill at least 110 people after heavy rain in Nigeria
At least 110 people have died in floods caused by torrential rain in central Nigeria, officials have told the BBC. The rainfall lasted for several hours, said the head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema), Abullahi Baba-Arah. He added that "surging flood water submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants". According to Nsema, the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts of Mokwa town were worst affected. Mokwa's District Head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, said it has been "60 years" since the community had suffered this kind of flooding. "I beg the government to support us," Mr Aliyu said. This is the start of the rainy season in Nigeria. Many parts of northern Nigeria experienced heavy rainfall and flooding in 2024 which caused deaths, displacement of people and destruction of houses and infrastructure. The country also suffered severe flooding in 2022, which forced around 1.3 million people out of the homes and caused more than 600 deaths. Additional reporting from Cecilia Macaulay Nigeria's floods and drought worsening food insecurity Songs and testimonies from a drowning world Nigeria floods: 'I have nowhere to go' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Floods kill at least 110 people after heavy rain in Nigeria
At least 110 people have died in floods caused by torrential rain in central Nigeria, officials have told the BBC. The rainfall lasted for several hours, said the head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema), Abullahi Baba-Arah. He added that "surging flood water submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants". According to Nsema, the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts of Mokwa town were worst affected. Mokwa's District Head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, said it has been "60 years" since the community had suffered this kind of flooding. "I beg the government to support us," Mr Aliyu said. This is the start of the rainy season in Nigeria. Many parts of northern Nigeria experienced heavy rainfall and flooding in 2024 which caused deaths, displacement of people and destruction of houses and infrastructure. The country also suffered severe flooding in 2022, which forced around 1.3 million people out of the homes and caused more than 600 deaths. Additional reporting from Cecilia Macaulay Nigeria's floods and drought worsening food insecurity Songs and testimonies from a drowning world Nigeria floods: 'I have nowhere to go' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa
