Flood deaths top 100, local leader says

Massive floods due to continuous rains, overflowing dams and swollen rivers have claimed more lives in northern Nigeria, with a traditional ruler in the affected area estimating the death toll at over 100. Torrential rains since 25 August caused two big dams in Kano State, Tiga and Challawa, as well as the rivers Kano and Hadejia which feed them, to overflow, sweeping away scores of villages and swamping farmlands. During the course of last week, the flood’s impact continued to be felt downstream in neighbouring Jigawa State, where many villages have been affected. Sagir Mohammed, the traditional ruler of Ringim, one of the affected communities, told reporters on Friday more than 100 people had died in the floods so far. Residents said more than 20,000 people had been displaced in Ringim and Taura local council areas in addition to over 30,000 made homeless days before in Kano State. “I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians as well as the international community to come to the aid of the people,” Mohammed said.