Death toll from Nigeria flash floods rises to 151 as rescue efforts continue

Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.

At least 151 people have been confirmed dead following devastating flash floods that struck Mokwa in central Nigeria earlier this week. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) said the death toll had surged from an initial count of 115, as more bodies were recovered from areas submerged by the floodwaters.

Heavy rainfall late Wednesday into Thursday triggered the floods, sweeping through homes and displacing over 3,000 residents in more than 500 households. Several families are reported to have lost between two and five members, including children.

Nsema warned the death toll could climb further as many victims were believed to have been washed into the River Niger, which runs along the edge of Mokwa. Authorities said 11 people have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment in local hospitals.

The worst-hit areas include the districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, where entire homes were flattened and communities left scrambling for food and shelter.

Mokwa’s district head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, described the catastrophe as the worst flooding the region has seen in 60 years. "I beg the government to support us," he said, as overwhelmed emergency services struggle to cope with the scale of the disaster.

Adding to the crisis, a major bridge linking northern and south-western Nigeria collapsed in the flooding, stranding motorists and cutting off a critical transport route.

President Bola Tinubu has directed "all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations" in the affected areas.

With Nigeria’s rainy season just beginning and forecasted to continue through October, authorities have issued warnings for heavy rainfall in at least 15 of the country’s 36 states.

Humanitarian agencies are now calling for urgent relief supplies and stronger infrastructure planning to prevent future disasters.

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