Nigeria Faces Severe Flooding Crisis in Maiduguri After Dam Overflow

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, is facing its worst flooding crisis in 30 years, with the overflow of the Alau Dam causing widespread destruction. Thousands of homes have been submerged, and emergency officials fear the situation will worsen as more areas are impacted. The flooding has already displaced over 150,000 people, with estimates suggesting that the number could rise to over 200,000 as the floodwaters continue to spread.

The overflow was caused by excess water from the Alau Dam, located about 20 kilometers south of Maiduguri, leading to the collapse of the dam’s spillways. This surge of water has flooded communities downstream, including parts of Maiduguri that have not experienced significant flooding for years. Ezekiel Manzo, a spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), called the situation “unprecedented.”

The flooding has severely affected Maiduguri’s infrastructure, including the city’s post office and zoo. There are reports of animals, including an ostrich, escaping into the city after being washed away from the zoo by the floodwaters.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who hails from Maiduguri, visited the flood-stricken area and acknowledged that the city is facing a major humanitarian disaster. Temporary shelters have been opened to accommodate displaced families, and rescue operations are ongoing.

The impact of climate change is being blamed for the severity of the disaster. Despite forecasts predicting rain, emergency workers were unprepared for the extent of the flooding. NEMA figures show that floods across the country have already killed at least 229 people and displaced around 380,000 in various regions, with the northern part of Nigeria being hardest hit.

The flood’s impact on agriculture is also dire, with 110,000 hectares of farmland affected. This is expected to exacerbate Nigeria’s already critical food insecurity, which has worsened in recent years due to flooding and other climate-related disasters. Save the Children warned that one in six children in Nigeria faced hunger between June and August 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Flooding is not new to Nigeria. The country experienced its worst floods in a decade in 2022, which killed over 500 people and displaced 1.4 million. Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, extended his condolences to the affected families and promised to work with state authorities to address the immediate humanitarian needs.

As the floodwaters continue to rise, Nigeria’s northern region is grappling with the dual challenges of climate change and inadequate infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives.