A catastrophic flood in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has led to the death of at least 30 people and displaced approximately 414,000 others. The flooding began after the Alau Dam overflowed due to heavy rains, resulting in the worst flood the town has seen in 30 years, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council, and local reports from the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel reported on Wednesday that the death toll has reached 30, with nearly half a million people displaced into nine internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state.
The flood was triggered by the rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers south of Maiduguri. The rising waters have affected over 23,000 households. As of Wednesday, reports indicate that the floodwaters have receded, but the damage remains extensive.
The floodwaters submerged about 70 percent of Maiduguri, causing significant destruction to key locations, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the state secretariat, the post office, the cemetery, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Additionally, the flood devastated Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo, where 80 percent of the animals were lost, and caused severe damage to homes, schools, commercial properties, and places of worship.
