Nigeria is grappling with severe flooding that has devastated several communities, particularly in the town of Mokwa, in the central western Niger State.

According to reports, more than 150 lives have been lost while thousands have been displaced, following torrential rains last week that triggered flooding along the Niger River. Hundreds of homes were destroyed as the waters swept through villages, with survivors recounting the heartbreaking loss of family, homes, and livelihoods.

On Saturday, 31 May, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency suggested that the official death toll may skyrocket as bodies continue to be recovered from downstream areas. The extent of the flooding, described as the worst in 60 years, has prompted fears of a possible dam failure, though officials have yet to confirm this.

The Nigerian government has launched relief efforts, deploying rescue teams to provide temporary shelters and emergency supplies. However, meteorologists warn that further rain is expected in the coming days, raising concerns about additional flooding and exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.

Experts link the escalating flood crisis to climate change and unregulated construction, with warnings that rainfall intensities and durations are increasing. Authorities have vowed to investigate improved infrastructure measures and better management of waterways to prevent future disasters, as communities brace for more rain.

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