Maiduguri Residents Flee as Alau Dam Bursts, Unleashing Torrent of Water
By Najib Sani
A state of emergency has been declared in Maiduguri, Borno State, as a devastating flood sweeps through the city, submerging homes and threatening lives.
The disaster was triggered by the alleged breakdown of the Alau Dam, which had been filled to capacity for over a week.
In an urgent statement issued on Tuesday, Professor Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, warned residents living along the river bank to relocate immediately.
“The unusually high volume of water this year has put us on high alert, and we urge all affected residents to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties,” he said.
The commissioner revealed that the dam’s water had broken down another channel, destroying farms and heading towards the river bank.
He advised residents to follow designated evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.
DAYLIGHT REPORTERS reports that this is not the first time the Alau Dam has caused catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri as In 1994, a similar incident resulted in unprecedented flooding, with almost half of the town underwater.
