The death toll from floods in Borno State in northern Nigeria has reached about one million people, state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced.

“The full extent of what happened is yet to be determined. The number of people affected is one million. Currently, the focus is on providing basic necessities,” he was quoted as saying by the Daily Trust newspaper.

In addition to the torrential rains, floods have followed the collapse of the Alau Dam, which overflowed about 10 kilometres away, all the way to the state capital. Elders in the area say the last time such devastation hit Maiduguri and its environs was about 30 years ago.

Africa’s most populous country has recently been facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. According to the UN, the floods have already claimed more than 185 lives and affected more than 600,000 people. The northern regions of the country, traditionally considered the country’s breadbasket, have suffered the most. A total of 107,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed in
the country, jeopardizing the food security of the Nigerian population. Infrastructure has also suffered significant damage. The Nigerian government has appealed to the international community for emergency assistance.

Source: Burkina Information Agency