Maiduguri, Nigeria (TheGavel) – Residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, are gradually returning to their homes after being displaced by severe flooding caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam. The flood, which peaked earlier this week, forced thousands of people to flee their homes and seek shelter in nearby areas.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the flood has affected over 239,000 people in the city. Many of the displaced residents have sought refuge in the Muna IDP camp, which was already hosting over 50,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the ongoing conflict in the region.
“We are just rushing to see what is left of our homes and to salvage any remnants of our property we can still use,” Ali Bana, a resident of Gwange ward, told NAN. “It’s a devastating situation.”
Musa Abdullahi, another affected resident from Gomari ward, said he was able to reach his house but found it still submerged in water. “From the looks of things, we have more days to spend outside before we can move back in,” he said.
The flood has also caused significant disruption to essential services in Maiduguri. Communication lines have been affected, power outages have become frequent, and water supply has been disrupted in many parts of the city.
As the flood waters recede, residents are facing the daunting task of assessing the damage to their homes and belongings. Humanitarian organizations are working to provide assistance to the affected population, including food, shelter, and medical care.
The flood disaster in Maiduguri highlights the vulnerability of the city to natural disasters, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict and the displacement of thousands of people. It is a stark reminder of the need for effective disaster preparedness and response measures to mitigate the impact of such events. (NAN)
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