Nigeria Alau Dam collapse in Maiduguri: Survivors desperate as hunger bites

Fatima Yakubu can’t consider that she and her six kids are nonetheless alive after a dam collapsed following torrential rains in north-eastern Nigeria.

The household, who stay south of the town of Maiduguri close to the Alau Dam, had been asleep when their home started filling with water within the early hours of Tuesday.

“I wakened at 1am once I felt water on my legs,” the 26-year-old informed the BBC.

“It was rising very quick, and I used to be so scared. I assumed I used to be going to die with my kids.”

She cried out in panic for assist: “Some males heard me screaming and got here to rescue us. I’m grateful to God.”

Alongside together with her kids she has discovered refuge at Bakassi Camp, one in every of 4 centres arrange for the a whole bunch of 1000’s of people that have been flooded out of their properties this week.

Till final yr, the camp was occupied by those that had fled infamous Boko Haram Islamist militants, whose 15-year insurgency has brought on havoc in a area the place poverty is endemic.

Although diminished, the jihadists are nonetheless lively and regardless of the closure of displacement camps, Maiduguri stays densely populated with many individuals nonetheless preferring its relative safety to rural areas of Borno state.

The heavier than standard rains started in direction of the top of August – and it’s nonetheless humid and pouring with rain as folks attempt to take care of the aftermath of the dam’s collapse.

Locals residing across the Alau Dam, which is about 20km (12 miles) south of the town on the Ngadda river, turned anxious in regards to the construction because the waters within the reservoir steadily rose final week – they usually alerted officers.

A delegation did exit to examine the dam, however mentioned there was nothing to fret about.

Nonetheless round 4 days later it began to fracture, and the dam gave approach. Inside three hours water was pouring into Maiduguri as folks slept – with some estimates suggesting practically half of the town was coated.

The authorities are nonetheless scrambling to rescue folks, and generally our bodies, trapped in buildings.

Many public constructions are affected, together with hospitals and the jail.

The disaster has been compounded by the escape of some wild animals from the state zoo – and an estimated 40% of its animals have perished.

The Borno state authorities has ordered faculties that solely just lately reopened after an extended vacation, to shut for 2 weeks.

A whole bunch of residents will be seen strolling by way of the knee-high floodwater alongside the favored Lagos Bridge, whereas most automobiles are unable to plough by way of the excessive quantity of water.

Moms clutch their kids tightly as they wade by way of the streets, attempting to not get swept away.

Some younger folks have been taking benefit by going swimming in areas the place the water is at the least 4ft (1.2m) deep.

The waters have begun to recede in some areas, although 5 communities are nonetheless inundated.

That is Borno state’s most devastating flood catastrophe in three a long time, in response to the UN and native media.

There are worries about an outbreak of waterborne illnesses as many of the metropolis’s community of sewers has collapsed, contaminating water sources.

‘’The governor has introduced the structure of a particular well being crew that can analyse the scenario,” Borno state spokesperson Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi informed the BBC. “Worldwide companions, just like the WHO [World Health Organization], have promised to assist the federal government.”

Support companies say at the least 37 folks have died – however the authorities say it’s too early to verify this estimate.

“We won’t verify the determine but. For the variety of homes affected, we now have to attend till the water stage recedes,” Sirajo Garba, from the Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (Nema) in Maiduguri, informed the BBC.

The state governor, Babagana Zulum, has mentioned that the floods might have affected as much as 1,000,000 folks.

Starvation is now a serious problem for individuals who have misplaced their belongings, properties and companies.

At Bakassi Camp on Wednesday night, a automotive pulled up on the gate and the motive force started giving out loaves of bread to the crowds gathered.

However dozens of individuals then swooped on his automobile and snatched every part by way of the wound-down home windows.

“We don’t have sufficient meals and important provides on the camp. Individuals are at all times speeding for meals,” mentioned Ms Yakubu, who’s shouldering the accountability for taking care of her kids as her husband is staying together with his second spouse.

“My youngsters shared only one plate of meal at this time. They’re nonetheless hungry whereas I haven’t eaten,” she mentioned.

The household all share a mat positioned on the bottom within the open air – no different shelter is but obtainable. Preventing off mosquitos, she makes use of her hijab to cowl her one-month-old child.

Like many households, they’re but to be assigned sleeping areas as extra tents are nonetheless being put up.

“My son and I’ve solely taken kunu [a local drink made from sorghum or maize] at this time,” 23-year-old Aisha Muhammad informed the BBC in tears.

Like many different girls within the camp – discovering one thing to eat is her primary concern.

Nema mentioned it will begin distributing meals quickly – in further to what the state authorities is doing.

The state spokesman defined that Governor Zulum visited the camp on Wednesday.

“He distributed 10,000 naira [$6; £5] to the pinnacle of every family as an instantaneous reduction bundle whereas the federal government prepares one thing that’s extra sustainable,” Mr Bundi mentioned.

The 4 camps are at present housing round 6,000 folks, in response to Nema.

However there are millions of others in determined want of assist – sleeping on the roads, below bridges, inside vans and below automobiles.

Some have made makeshift tents with no matter is handy, however they do a poor job of protecting them from the continual rain.

Because the emergency companies take care of the deluged metropolis, it’s unclear when the broken Alau Dam might be mounted.

‘’The reconstruction of the dam is a large challenge that Borno state authorities alone can’t maintain. It’s owned by the federal authorities,’’ Mr Bundi mentioned.

Further reporting by the BBC’s Yūsuf Akínpèlú, Imam Saleh and Reward Ufuoma.