The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has announced that the severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, is beginning to subside, with normalcy gradually returning to the metropolis.
Umar made this statement on Thursday, providing an update on the situation following what has been described as the most severe flooding in Nigeria’s history.
She said, “Though our work is far from being done and our round-the-clock emergency response, monitoring, and assessment continues, it’s important to provide some updates.
“First is the relieving observation that the flood level in Maiduguri is receding, and normalcy is beginning to return to the metropolis.
Umar, however, added that search and rescue operation continues.
She said, “Victims of the disaster are being sheltered temporarily at the 8 camps provided by the State Government.
“Our preliminary assessment estimated the number of affected persons to be over 400,000. With the support of the armed forces, paramilitary, civil society organizations, humanitarian partners and the good people of Borno State, the victims evacuated from the flooded areas that are not in the camps are being accommodated by their relations in safe higher areas.”
According to her, as part of efforts to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases that are associated with flooding, NEMA has deployed three water purification trucks to the city, and are partnering with chemical companies for the purification of household water.
“We have also alerted the people to be vigilant about harmful aquatic animals and those that find water environment conducive, particularly snakes.
“While we assure the people that the government has started and will continue to mobilize available resources for their recovery, we will continue to provide every necessary support to ensure the safety and welfare of those within and outside camps,” she added.
The flooding was caused by a broken spillway from the Alau Dam.