Death toll from Nigerian floods rises to 100

ABUJA -- The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Nigeria's north-central Niger State has climbed to at least 100, local authorities said Friday.

Citing an on-the-spot assessment visit by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the Mokwa area where the disaster occurred, a senior official of NEMA told Xinhua by telephone that more bodies were recovered Friday afternoon.

"More bodies are being recovered, but for now, at least 100 bodies have been accounted for," said the official, who asked for anonymity.

Heavy downpours late Wednesday night wreaked havoc across Mokwa, submerging and sweeping away more than 50 residential homes, some with occupants still inside, he told reporters Thursday.

Earlier this week, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued forecasts warning of thunderstorms and heavy rains in the country's central region, including Niger. More rainfall is expected over the next 48 hours, with localized downpours also predicted in the southern region.

The NEMA said Tuesday that it had intensified efforts to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding nationwide.

Speaking at a national sensitization campaign on flood preparedness, Zubaida Umar, director-general of NEMA, urged all levels of government to invest in drainage systems, dams, and flood-resilient infrastructure in riverine areas.