Borno State flooding
| Date | September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Borno State, Nigeria |
| Cause | Collapse of Alau Dam in Konduga local government area and long-term rainfall leading to flash floods and river overflowing |
| Property damage | 30+ people killed, over 400 000 displaced. 70% of communities underwater |
The Borno State flooding was a natural disaster that took place in September 2024 in Borno State, particularly the Maiduguri and Jere local government areas of Borno State, Nigeria. According to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), it displaced over 70% of the residents in Maiduguri.[1] The UN refugee agency in Nigeria has described the flooding as the worst to hit the city in 30 years with over 1 million people affected.[2][3]
Background
[edit]West Africa has experienced some of its worst flooding in decades. According to the UN, more than 2.3 million people have been affected so far this year which is three times higher compared to the previous year.[3]
The Alau dam was constructed in 1986 to help farmers with irrigation and to help control flooding from the Ngadda River. Before 2024, the dam has broken twice: in 1994 and 2012, leading to flooding of local communities.[3]
The Borno State has also been experiencing a humanitarian crisis over the last decade due to the Boko Haram insurgency. The insurgency has displaced over 2.6 million people with many living in camps that are vulnerable to flooding.[4]
Causes
[edit]Continuous rainfall in Bama, Damboa and Gwoza local government areas led to the 2024 Alau Dam collapse in Konduga local government area which was constructed between 1984 to 1986. The dam's collapse triggered flash floods that inundated low-lying communities in the state, causing widespread submersion and devastation.[5][6]
Reaction
[edit]The Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum in response to the flood opened up the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons camp in addition to other IDP camps in high land areas to cater for the citizens safety. He confirmed with reporters that over one million people have been affected in the state due to the flood.[7]
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima visited the state to see the level of damage and assured residents of the federal government intervention to help them cope with the issue.[8]
Aftermath
[edit]
The governor announced the closure of schools in the state as the water level kept rising due to the collapse of the dam. The flood affected the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, a zoological garden and wildlife location in Maiduguri. Report showed that animals lost their lives and residents were at risk of attack from the animals.[9]
It displaced over 70% of the residents in Borno state and over 70% of Maiduguri town was affected according to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).[10][11] According NEMA, the death toll from the flooding is at least 30 with over 400 000 people displaced.[2]
The state General Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were also affected as a result of the flood. The internally displaced persons (IDP) camps were also affected as people were relocated from the El Miskin Camp to the Bakasi Camp for safety according to the director-general of NEMA.[1][12]
There was also reports about a jailbreak due to collapse of a wall at the correctional center in Maiduguri as a result of the rising flood in the state. This was confirmed by the spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service Borno Command.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Reporters, Our (11 September 2024). "Borno dam collapse: FG opens IDP camps as flood submerges 70% of Maiduguri". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigeria floods kill at least 30 people and displace some 400,000". France 24. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "One million people affected: What to know about floods in northern Nigeria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Dam collapse in Nigeria sweeps deadly reptiles into flooded communities". AP News. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Elumoye, Deji; Olugbode, Michael; Ajimotokan, Olawale; Aborisade, Sunday; Awofadeji, Segun; Samuel, Olusegun; Olatunbosun, Yinka (11 September 2024). "Tinubu Rises to Maiduguri Flood Disaster, Promises to Assist State, Orders Evacuation – THISDAYLIVE". This Day. Abuja, Gombe, Yenagoa, Lagos. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Alau dam burst, wild animals escape and wetin we know about Maiduguri flood wey don render many homeless". BBC Pidgin. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Maiduguri Flood: One million people affected - Zulum - Daily Trust". Dailytrust. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Reporters, Our (11 September 2024). "Borno dam collapse: FG opens IDP camps as flood submerges 70% of Maiduguri". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Crocodiles and snakes 'washed into communities' as flood hits Nigerian zoo". The Guardian. 10 September 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria: Floods – Maiduguri (MMC) and Jere Floods Flash Update 1 (10 September 2024) - Nigeria | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Chibundu, Janefrances (10 September 2024). "REWIND: In 1994, Alau Dam collapsed, displacing 400,000 persons in Maiduguri". TheCable. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Pai, Bilkisu Halilu (11 September 2024). "NEMA deploys additional resources to rescue Maiduguri flood victims". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Reporters, Our (11 September 2024). "Borno dam collapse: FG opens IDP camps as flood submerges 70% of Maiduguri". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 11 September 2024.