Flood ravages Borno communities, as many displaced, inmates escape, infrastructure submerged

It was a colossal loss to many residents, including the government as major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area have been submerged by floodwaters.

According to reports, The Shehu’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo were some of the public infrastructure submerged by flood.

,,,,,,,,A prison wall located along the Custom area was broken by flood as some inmates allegedly drowned while several others escaped for their lives, while major roads within the state capital including the Post-Office Roundabout which links major locations in the capital are flooded thereby cutting off vehicular movement within the metropolis.

,,,,,,The Abbaganaram, Custom Road along which the flooded prison is located, Tashan Bama, Custom Road, Monday Market, Gamboru Market Custom Area, Cattle Market in old Maiduguri, Gwange area, Lagos Street are all communities affected by the flood.

______The Maiduguri Zoo’s popularity known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park was flooded too. The General Manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, said 80% of the animals in the zoo have been killed by the flood while the others have escaped into the city capital.

Thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced, the majority of whom are women and children, while several shop owners and small-scale businesses are also affected by the flood.

Touring across safer areas within Maiduguri, thousands of women and children are relocating along with their belongings.

,,,,,Many of them are seen taking refuge under trees at the major roads.

Apart from large volume rainfall being experienced this year, the flood, according to multiple sources, is a result of leakage of the bank of Alo Dam, a major source of……water supply to Maiduguri which draws its source from River Ngadda in Cameroon and the Lake Chad.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the flood victims in parts of Maiduguri.

,,,,,,,,Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the flooding.

Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state, especially to the families that lost their loved ones and means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alo Dam.

,,,,,,,,,The President called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.

He assured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.

____The President also said he remained committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.

____Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Tinubu will tackle the challenges of perennial flood in the country, saying that a comprehensive roadmap aimed at addressing the issue head-on has already been developed.

The Vice President gave the assurance when he visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday, for an on-the-spot assessment of___the ravaging floods that have displaced communities in the state.

In a statement by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima described the disaster as the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades. He regretted that despite the implementation of comprehensive contingency plans and proactive measures adopted to mitigate potential impacts in response to the 2024 flood outlooks, the severity of the flood in Maiduguri has far exceeded the government’s estimates.

________While commiserating with the victims, the Vice President said the President did not only express his “deepest sympathies but has also assured that the federal government will prioritise the welfare of the affected communities”.

…..;;;;The flood which began over the weekend has worsened. Authorities have blamed it on the excess water from the Alau Dam and the collapse of the spillways which has unleashed a significant surge of___water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities