Last Tuesday, residents of Maiduguri, Borno State capital, and surrounding areas in the North-East awoke to devastating floods caused by a breach of the Alau Dam following heavy rainfall. Video footage captured the alarming scene of hundreds of homes and vehicles submerged by the rising waters.
Residents were seen navigating waist-deep water on major roads. Reports indicate that dangerous animals, including snakes and crocodiles, escaped from the zoo, adding to the danger faced by the beleaguered citizens.
HARD-HIT AREAS INCLUDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI
The flood severely impacted several areas, including the Government House, Monday Market, Moromoro, Gwange, State Lowcost Estate, NUJ Press Centre, Lagos Street (a major city road), the Shehu of Borno’s palace, parts of the University of Maiduguri, and local cemeteries, where corpses were seen floating in the floodwaters.
PRESIDENT TINUBU AND VP SHETTIMA RESPOND TO THE DISASTER
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu ordered extensive evacuations and committed to relief efforts. Vice President Kashim Shettima returned to Maiduguri to assess the damage and support the people he served for eight years. He was observed wading through floodwaters while visiting displaced persons and initiated the procurement of 50 trucks of rice. According to Shettima, this flood is the worst in 30 years.
The disaster has claimed over 30 lives and displaced more than 400,000 people. The situation is expected to worsen, with survivors facing food and water shortages and the threat of disease outbreaks.
CALL FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
This national disaster demands urgent assistance from Nigerians and the global community. Despite regional differences, we must unite in the face of natural calamities. The Federal Government is urged to declare Maiduguri a disaster zone and seek international aid to support those affected.
Governments, individuals, and organizations must act swiftly to provide relief. Additionally, it is crucial for states near dams and major riverbanks to heed annual weather advisories from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and take necessary precautions to mitigate flood damage.
PREPARATION AND RESPONSE ARE KEY TO FLOOD MANAGEMENT
Flood-prone areas must be prepared to handle such emergencies effectively. Awareness and timely action can significantly reduce the impact of future disasters.