Torrential Rains Kill 25 in Nigerian City: Rescuers

AFP/APP

Nigeria: Torrential rains have devastated the central Nigerian city of Mokwa, killing at least 25 people, emergency services said on Thursday, as rescue teams continued the search for more victims.

The flooding followed a heavy rainstorm late Wednesday, which submerged or swept away at least 50 homes. Ten people remain missing in addition to the confirmed fatalities, according to emergency officials.

“The surging floodwaters submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants,” said Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Divers and volunteers managed to rescue one woman and her two children. They are currently receiving treatment in hospital for injuries and shock.

Nigeria experiences widespread flooding during its annual rainy season, which lasts from May to November. Experts attribute the recurring devastation to poor drainage systems, unregulated construction on waterways, and indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains and water channels.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier issued warnings of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria’s 36 states—including Niger State—between Wednesday and Friday.