In Nigeria, the city of Maiduguri, in the far north of the country, was submerged by the waters of a dam that gave way during torrential rains. Since Monday, thousands of residents have been fleeing the city which is under water and rescue efforts are being organized, but for the moment, the exact number of victims is not known.
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It has been 30 years since the regional capital of Borno last experienced such flooding. Homes are submerged, cars are under water and residents, 800,000 in the city of Maiduguri, are trying to escape the rising waters.
According to this resident, it was during the night from Sunday to Monday that the Alau dam south of the city gave way under the rains. It was really catastrophic. Everything is flooded. There is only one bridge left. “, says a resident.
Everything is flooded. Nothing is left.
Testimony from a resident of Maiduguri
Several reception centres have been set up in Maiduguri. The director of the Borno State National Emergency Management Agency. We have dispatched several teams to deal with the situation. The first was sent to the dam site. Its mission is to do everything possible to reduce the flow of water. The second, composed of several agents, is evacuating the victims. In some neighborhoods, we have had to use helicopters. “, he explains to the editorial staff of RFI.
According to a Maiduguri prison official, 200 prisoners were able to escape after a perimeter wall collapsed. Among the escapees are several members of Boko HaramAt the end of the evening, no official report had been given to count the exact number of victims of these floods.