Mokwa flood caused by climate change, deforestation, says NSEMA

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says the recent flood in the state was caused by climate change and deforestation.

More than 200 persons have been reported dead following the flood that ravaged three communities in Mokwa LGA of Niger state on May 29.

The flood, which has displaced 3,018 persons, also destroyed three bridges in the state.

Speaking on Wednesday on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a Channels Television programme, Ibrahim Hussaini, NSEMA acting director-general, described the Mokwa flood as unprecedented.

Hussaini noted that although there were flood predictions for parts of Mokwa, Mokwa town was assumed to be safe, as it is not situated directly upstream or downstream of any major dam or river.

“I want to tell you that because of climate change, climate variability, and deforestation, areas that were never previously prone to flooding are now being flooded,” Hussaini said.

“This is why I must emphasise that the flood we experienced was neither expected nor easily predictable.

“This time around, we had only predicted flooding in some parts of Mokwa LGA — particularly villages downstream, as some of them share boundaries with the River Niger.”

He noted that Umar Bago, governor of Niger, has taken proactive action, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the area.

Hussaini said the governor has also allocated funds to relevant agencies to sensitise residents about flooding. He added that these efforts have been hindered by the strong emotional attachment people have to their ancestral homes.

“But Mokwa town itself is surrounded on all sides — north, south, east, and west — by at least 30 kilometres of land from any major river or tributary. No one anticipated that this kind of flooding could happen here,” he said.

“In the past, we only experienced flash floods that lasted a few hours and then receded. Those might have affected people’s homes and belongings, but we never recorded such a devastating loss of life.

“As always, the governor and the Niger state government, including SEMA, do not wait for forecasts or data from NEMA before taking action.”