Attachments
OVERVIEW
On 9 September 2024, heavy rain and structural damage caused the Alau Dam in Konduga local government area (LGA), Borno state, to collapse. The dam collapse caused flash flooding in neighbouring Maiduguri and Jere LGAs. By 10 September, the floods had affected an estimated 240,000 people across both LGAs (OCHA 10/09/2024; IMC 18/09/2024). Though, the number of affected people varies according to different sources, with OCHA also reporting more than 122,750 people affected as of 18 September (OCHA 18/09/2024). The figures may vary because of differences in methodologies, geographic scope of assessments, access constraints, and humanitarian response.
Reports often conflate the needs and number of affected people in the two areas, as some towns and villages border both LGAs, including Muna and Jere IDP camps (iMMAP 22/11/2023; IMC 18/09/2024). As a result, it is difficult to distinguish the particular impacts of flooding between the two LGAs.
By 18 September, the floods had killed at least 37 people, injured 58, and displaced at least 414,000 in Borno state (IMC 18/09/2024).
The effects of the floods are worst in Maiduguri town. Maiduguri LGA is the state capital of Borno and the largest city in northeastern Nigeria. By 10 September, floodwater covered over 40% of Maiduguri Municipal Council, which had an estimated population of more than 870,000 people, including at least 230,000 IDPs (IMC 18/09/2024). The most affected areas were Bama Road, Budum, Customs/Gamboru areas, Gwange, and Lagos Street (OCHA 10/09/2024).
The floods trapped an unspecified number of people in their homes, on trees, and in other unsafe and inaccessible locations. The number of casualties is expected to rise as responders gain access to more affected locations (AJ 12/09/2024; France 24 11/09/2024; CARE 12/09/2024).
Prior to the dam collapse, floods and storms since August 2024 had affected over 123,000 people across Borno state (out of 800,000 affected countrywide) (OCHA 10/09/2024). This had likely decreased community coping capacities, while nationwide flooding may have strained government resources.
The previous flooding also occurred during the peak of a food and nutrition crisis coinciding with the country’s lean season (May–September).(OCHA 26/03/2024; City Population accessed 13/09/2024).