Severe flooding in Nigeria's Mokwa town has left over 200 dead and 500 missing, with rescue efforts halted.

Tragic events have unfolded in the Nigerian town of Mokwa as more than 200 individuals have been confirmed dead due to devastating floods. Officials reported that an additional 500 people remain missing within the central Niger State locality, with rescue operations halting as the likelihood of finding survivors wanes, according to Musa Kimboku, a local official.

These floods, reportedly the most severe the area has experienced in 60 years, ravaged the Mokwa districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa following intense torrential rains. In a bid to mitigate the outbreak of disease, local authorities are preparing to exhume buried bodies, stated Mokwa's district head, Muhammadu Aliyu.

The local populace shared heart-wrenching accounts of their losses, with residents describing the destruction of their homes and loved ones being swept away. Among the affected is Adamu Yusuf, who recounted the tragedy of losing his wife and newborn baby. "I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim," he said.

Another resident, Saliu Sulaiman, faced the dual burden of being left homeless and losing substantial business earnings. "I lost at least $1,500 in the floods. It was the proceeds from the sale of my farm produce the previous day. I contemplated going back into the room to get it, but the pressure of the water scared me," he shared.

Speculation among locals suggests that the flooding's devastation was exacerbated by a nearby dam bursting, though authorities have yet to verify such claims. The floodwaters' force was so extreme that bodies have been discovered in Rabba, located an hour away by car from Mokwa.

Mokwa's Deputy Vice-Chairman, Musa Kimboku, advised neighboring villages to inter "any corpses they find," while District Head Aliyu noted that some bodies may be irretrievable as they might have been carried into the River Niger.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced on Sunday efforts to distribute relief packages to those impacted. Damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has further compounded the challenges facing the local economy and transportation.

The Nigerian Red Cross issued a statement on Friday, acknowledging the "significant loss of life and widespread distress." The rainy season in Nigeria, spanning April to October, often brings floods. Notably, in 2024, heavy rainfall resulted in casualties and displacement, while the 2022 floods claimed over 600 lives and displaced 1.3 million people.