Over a hundred fatalities recorded following Nigeria's flood disasters
Central Nigerian Township of Mokwa Plunged into Tragedy Following Catastrophic Flood
Heavy rainfall on May 28, 2025, precipitated a devastating flood in Mokwa, a market town in Niger State, resulting in the death of over 151 individuals, with numerous others still missing, and the displacement of thousands. The natural calamity, which also destroyed over 265 houses, caused widespread destruction that submerged the town, affecting more than 500 households across three communities.
The catastrophe overwhelmed rescue operations, delayed the revelation of its full scale for several days. The search for the missing continued even until Saturday. According to the director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), an estimated $115 individuals lost their lives.
Regrettably, flood-related deaths are not an uncommon occurrence in Nigeria. In late 2021, flooding across several Nigerian states claimed the lives of more than 600 and rendered 1.3 million homeless. This disaster was also caused by heavy rainfall, underlining the recurring nature of such events.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has since activated the national emergency response center to aid the affected areas. As of now, search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and federal agencies have been mobilized to support relief efforts. The local community, whose lives have been upended by this disaster, mourns the loss of life and property and laments the destruction of farm produce, a significant economic activity in the region.
The recent flood in Mokwa underscores the urgent need for improved preparedness and infrastructure to confront such catastrophes in Nigeria. Climate change appears to exacerbate the impact of such natural disasters in the country.
The recent flood in Mokwa, a central Nigerian town, has led to a tragic loss of over 150 lives, with many more still missing. This disaster, in addition to displacing thousands, has also caused widespread destruction, including fires and accidents due to the flooded conditions. As the region braces for the upcoming weather, there are concerns over potential fires and further accidents in the flooded areas. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has emphasized the importance of weather forecasting to ensure adequate preparation and response to such disasters in the future.
