Catastrophic Flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria: Over 200 Dead, 500 Missing

Nigeria is grappling with its worst flooding disaster in six decades, as torrential rains on May 29–30 devastated the town of Mokwa in Niger State.

The deluge has resulted in over 200 confirmed deaths, with an additional 500 individuals missing and presumed dead. The floods obliterated homes, roads, and bridges, displacing more than 3,000 residents.

The Nigerian Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been actively involved in rescue and relief operations. However, rescue efforts have been officially called off, as authorities believe there are no more survivors to be found.

In response to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his condolences to the affected families and pledged immediate aid, including relief materials and temporary shelters. The government is also deploying water purification equipment to prevent potential disease outbreaks in the flood-affected areas.

The flooding has been attributed to the seasonal west African monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone’s northward shift, which brings increased moisture and rainfall to northern regions.

This event underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the face of climate change-induced extreme weather events. As the nation mourns, there is a growing call for comprehensive environmental and infrastructural reforms to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters in the future.