– Climate News Africa Reports
According to the FRCN, residents of Maiduguri in Borno State have been placed on high alert after flooding submerged several homes, following the reported breach of the Alau Dam, which has been at full capacity for the past week.
On a Tuesday morning, 10th of September, 2024 statement titled “Flooding Alert for Riverbank Residents,” Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, urged residents to evacuate immediately. He cited the unusually high water levels as a cause for concern.
“We advise all residents living along the riverbank to take swift action to safeguard their lives and property. The Alau Dam has opened a new channel, which is now threatening farmlands and advancing towards the riverbank,” Tar stated.
Residents in the affected areas were directed to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage. The commissioner emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging compliance for safety.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a similar dam failure occurred in 1994, leading to significant flooding across Maiduguri, submerging nearly half of the city.
Over 200,000 people have been displaced by severe flooding in Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State, prompting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to issue a high alert.
The flooding, which started nearly a week ago due to the overflow of Alau Dam, has ravaged many parts of Maiduguri and its surroundings, submerging homes and properties in areas like Gwange, Shehuri, Adamkolo, Gamboru, Fori, Bulabulin, and others in Jere.
Many residents are desperately searching for safe locations, while some are trying to rescue loved ones trapped in the most affected areas. Among them is 12-year-old Fatima Ali, who made an emotional plea for government intervention, stating that her parents and six siblings are still trapped in their home in Gwange Sabon Layi.
“Out of ten members of our family, only two of us escaped. The rest are still trapped due to the flood. We are pleading for the government to rescue them,” Fatima said.
In response, the Borno State Government has opened the Bakasi Camp to shelter displaced flood victims. Emergency officials from both the National and State Emergency Management Agencies, alongside the Nigerian Red Cross, are screening new arrivals.
Victims at the camp shared their experiences. One said, “We left our house in Bulabulin at 1 AM and have been searching for refuge since. The Bakasi Camp has opened, but we haven’t been able to enter yet.”
Flood Victims at Bakasi Camp
Another victim from Shehuri South added, “The flood devastated our area. Some rooms have collapsed. I’ve been screened at Bakasi Camp but haven’t secured a room yet.”
NEMA’s Acting Zonal Coordinator, Sirajo Garba, stated that the agency is working alongside others to rescue those trapped by the flood and urged residents in high-risk areas to relocate to safer grounds. He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to provide relief to those affected.
Maiduguri has not witnessed such severe flooding in 30 years, according to reports from Dauda Iliya.