Floodwaters from an overflowing dam have inundated thousands of homes in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, creating a severe humanitarian emergency. Officials are raising alarms that the disaster could intensify, as rescue operations struggle to keep pace with the rapidly worsening situation.
Aerial footage and images provided by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) show entire neighborhoods submerged in water, with only rooftops visible in some areas. The floodwaters have left many residents stranded, with critical infrastructure, including roads and communication lines, severely impacted.
Maiduguri, a city that has endured more than a decade of insurgent violence, has now become the epicenter of another crisis. The city serves as a critical base for humanitarian efforts addressing the region’s long-standing issues, including displacement and food insecurity, making the flooding an added challenge for already stretched resources.
According to the United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria, this is the worst flood the city has seen in three decades. The agency, via its X account, described the event as catastrophic, further complicating relief operations in a region already struggling with multiple crises.
NEMA spokesperson Ezekiel Manzo emphasized the extraordinary nature of the situation, explaining that areas of Maiduguri’s central parts, which have not been affected by floods in many years, are now underwater. He added that emergency response teams are working tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and prevent further casualties, but the scale of the disaster remains overwhelming.
A devastating flood has submerged thousands of homes in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, after the rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city. The sudden surge of water has displaced thousands of residents and caused widespread damage, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
According to Surajo Garba, the zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 150,000 people and over 23,000 households have been affected in the past three days alone. He warned that the number is expected to rise significantly as more areas are hit by the floodwaters. “With the ongoing spread of the flood, we anticipate the number of affected individuals to exceed 200,000,” Garba stated, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
The flood, which began over the weekend, was caused by excess water released from the Alau Dam. Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is originally from Maiduguri, visited the affected communities to assess the situation. Shettima explained that the collapse of the dam’s spillways triggered a massive surge of water downstream, leading to widespread devastation in nearby towns and villages. “The release of water has caused unprecedented flooding, displacing thousands and threatening livelihoods in the surrounding areas,” he said during his visit.
In addition to the damage to homes, critical infrastructure in the city has been severely impacted. The city’s post office was completely submerged, disrupting communication and postal services. The floodwaters also inundated Maiduguri’s main zoo, raising alarm among authorities as dangerous animals were swept into local communities. Authorities have issued urgent warnings, advising residents to stay indoors and be cautious, as animals including crocodiles and snakes may pose a threat.
Emergency relief efforts are underway, but officials fear that the worsening situation will put a strain on already limited resources. NEMA and other humanitarian agencies are working to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to those displaced, but access to affected areas remains challenging due to flooded roads and damaged infrastructure.
As the flood continues to spread, the people of Maiduguri face an uncertain and dangerous situation, with officials closely monitoring the dam and surrounding areas to prevent further devastation.
Manzo indicated that the magnitude of the current flooding far exceeded what had been forecasted, attributing some of the severe impact to climate change. While he confirmed that there have been fatalities, he did not specify the number due to the ongoing nature of rescue operations.
In response to the extensive flooding, which continues to affect many parts of Maiduguri, authorities have established three temporary shelters to accommodate the displaced residents. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees’ Nigeria office reported that the flood has led to significant disruption, with homes submerged, schools forced to close, and businesses halted. Residents have been compelled to evacuate, often carrying only their most essential belongings.
The floods have resulted in at least 229 deaths and displaced approximately 380,000 people, with the northern region being the most severely impacted. Additionally, around 110,000 hectares (280,000 acres) of farmland have been submerged, exacerbating the country’s already dire food insecurity situation. Save the Children highlighted that child hunger has increased by 25% from June to August this year compared to the same period last year, reflecting the worsening impact on vulnerable populations.
Nigeria has a history of devastating flooding, with previous incidents including the 2012 floods that caused over 360 deaths and displaced more than 2.1 million people. The floods in 2022 were also severe, resulting in more than 500 deaths and displacing 1.4 million individuals, marking some of the worst flooding in recent decades.
In response to the crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his condolences to those affected, particularly to families who have lost their homes and livelihoods. His office has announced that he is collaborating with state authorities to address the immediate needs of the displaced and affected populations, focusing on providing emergency assistance and support to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
