Severe flooding in northeastern Nigeria has led to at least 30 deaths and impacted over one million people, with the collapse of the Alau dam on the Ngadda river in Borno State causing some of the worst flooding in the area in 30 years. The dam, which was at capacity due to heavy rains, prompted residents to flee their homes, with authorities expecting the death toll to rise.
This flooding comes after Nigeria’s worst flooding in a decade, which killed over 600 people. The current situation has left residents of Maiduguri struggling as food prices rise following the destruction of the central market. Additionally, a local zoo was partially destroyed, leading to escaped animals, including a crocodile, causing fear among residents.
Across West Africa, over 2.3 million people have been affected by flooding this year, a threefold increase from the previous year. The United Nations reports that African nations are disproportionately affected by climate change, losing up to 5 percent of their GDP annually due to the impacts. The World Meteorological Organization highlights that many African countries are spending up to 9 percent of their budgets on climate adaptation measures.
The situation in Nigeria underscores the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its devastating impacts on vulnerable populations. Immediate support and resources are required to assist those affected by the recent flooding in the region.
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