Thousands Displaced As Flood Takes Over Maiduguri After Alau Dam Collapse [Video]

Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes after severe flooding hit Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

The Alau Dam, which had been filled to capacity for a week, collapsed early Tuesday morning.

Last week, a government team led by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, assessed the dam’s condition and reassured the public that there was no need to panic, as measures would be taken to prevent disaster.

However, water began flowing into the city on Monday evening, and the situation worsened.

The flood has caused extensive damage in areas such as Nangere, Potiskum, Fika, Fune, and Gujba.

12 other local government areas, including Nguru, Jakusco, Gashua, and Gaidam, were cut off, with destroyed bridges, roads, houses, and property losses estimated in billions of naira.

As a precaution, the state government ordered schools to close, warning that the flooding could worsen within 48 hours.

Reports indicate that the flooding, which began a week ago, reached its peak on Tuesday morning.

Many residents have been displaced, and key locations such as the State-owned Broadcasting Station BRTV, the Post Office on Shehu Laminu Way, and the Custom Area have been heavily affected.

Sources revealed that the collapse of the Alau Dam on Tuesday has placed Maiduguri residents at great risk.

A resident described how floodwaters overwhelmed the Fori Bridge, connecting Fori and Galtimari to Tashan Bama, and surged through homes with tremendous force.

“Everyone should avoid post office, Monday market even the route behind the zoo along Hissan fueling station as the flood has taken over and the road is not motorable,” a resident named Refeal warned.

Another resident from Galtimari shared, “We were alerted to pack our belongings at 12:30 AM, but before we could gather our clothes and school credentials, the water was already waist-deep in our house.”

A journalist from Borno Radio Television (BRTV) reported that the Post Office area and their office have been completely submerged.

“We are in a serious situation Lagos Street is flooded, we had to flee to Galtimari Primary School, leaving most of our belongings behind,” said another resident, Bilyaminu Yusuf.

The state’s commissioner for information and internal security, Usman Tar, issued an alert on Tuesday, urging immediate evacuation for those living near the riverbanks.

He advised residents to use designated evacuation routes for safety and warned of the unusually high water levels this year, which have caused the Alau Dam to breach another channel, now threatening farms and further properties along the river.

“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.

“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms and the water is heading toward the river bank,” he said.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/NigeriaStories/status/1833406720296554637

This comes a few weeks after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Lagos, making it hard for residents to get to work.