Heavy overnight rains have caused widespread flooding in Nigeria, killing at least 151 people and displacing dozens of families. The town of Mokwa, about 235 miles west of Abuja, was hit particularly hard, with floodwaters flattening homes and businesses. Authorities had predicted limited flooding, but were caught off guard by the severity of the disaster.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue and floodwaters subside. Residents described a shocking scene on Friday morning, with bodies floating in the water and many trapped. “We have seen many bodies floating on the water, but we couldn’t help,” said one resident who lost their shop.
Climate change has been linked to an increase in flooding in West Africa, with 2022’s floods killing over 600 people and displacing 1.4 million. The government had predicted limited flooding this year, but residents are criticizing the slow response to flood warnings.
A camp for displaced people has been set up, and officials are searching for bodies and evaluating the damage. The situation in Mokwa remains dire, with many struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the disaster.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/world/africa/flooding-nigeria-africa-mokwa.html