MOKWA, June 2 (AGCNewsNet) — More than 700 people are feared dead after severe flooding devastated Mokwa, a town in Nigeria’s Niger State, in what authorities describe as one of the worst flood disasters in over six decades. At least 200 deaths have been confirmed so far, while over 500 residents remain missing.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun distributing relief packages, and emergency responders warn of the potential for disease outbreaks as search-and-rescue operations shift to recovery.

“This is a tragedy of unimaginable scale,” said Deputy Vice-Chairman of Mokwa, Musa Kimboku, in an interview with the BBC. “We no longer believe that survivors can be found. We have informed neighbouring villages to bury any corpse that they find.”

District Head Muhammadu Aliyu revealed that some bodies were swept as far as Rabba, a town over an hour away, while others remain buried beneath the mud. “We will begin digging them out to prevent disease outbreaks,” he said.

The Nigerian Red Cross has described the situation as “widespread distress,” warning that the scale of human loss may rise as more bodies are discovered and identified.

Key infrastructure—including roads and bridges—was severely damaged, further isolating communities and disrupting local trade. NEMA reported that thousands have been displaced, with many residents now relying on makeshift shelters and temporary aid.

“The roads are gone, and so is the bridge connecting us to neighbouring towns,” said local farmer Saliu Sulaiman, who lost his home and $1,500—the proceeds from his recent farm harvest. “I contemplated going back into the room to get the money, but the pressure of the water scared me.”

Adamu Yusuf, a resident of Mokwa, recounted how he lost his wife and newborn child as the floodwaters engulfed his home. “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim,” he said.

Authorities have suspended active search missions and are now focusing on public health and burial coordination. Relief efforts are also being supported by local and international humanitarian agencies.

The flooding comes amid Nigeria’s rainy season, which has increasingly brought extreme weather patterns attributed to climate change. While rescue and aid operations continue, the federal government is under growing pressure to strengthen disaster preparedness and flood control systems across vulnerable regions.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to visit affected areas later this week, while NEMA urges citizens to remain alert and comply with evacuation notices in flood-prone zones.

The incident has prompted condolences from global leaders, with the United States expressing deep sorrow over the losses.

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Source: The Guardian