By Inuwa Bwala
A similar thing happened thirty years ago, precisely on the 4th of September, 1994, if I am not mistaken.
To date, nobody could give the exact number of human casualties, while the material loss was put at over a hundred million naira, conservatively.
Thirty years ago, the technology to predict such disasters were as not as sophisticated as today’s, but the media then had reported extensively of an impending flood in Maiduguri.
● Below: Video of Vice President Kashim Shettima wading through flood water during his visit to commiserate with Borno people:
Long before the rains came this time around, weather forecasts pointed to the possibility of irregular patterns of rainfall, which could result into floods across 22 states in Nigeria.
Borno being amongst the 22 states likely to be affected by floods took some steps to avert the disaster or at least mitigate its effects.
Only two weeks ago, the State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, directed the activation of all state government machineries to arrest possible disasters arising from the envisaged flood.
The Borno State Geographic Information Service, BOGIS, has been busy clearing buildings across water ways, and insisting on creating a free flow of water for the River Gadambul, which had hitherto been the source of previous floods.
But while the Government and Borno citizens were looking in another direction, the floods came from a less envisaged angle: the Alau Dam, on the outskirts of the ancient city.
● Video: Alau Dam bursting and flowing into Maiduguri and its environs:
Reminiscent of the 4th September 1994 flood disaster in the ancient city, the floods came with the ferocity of a storm. Most residents were caught napping as the flood creeped in while they were still sleeping.
As happened in the past, nobody may be able to give the exact number of casualties, as most families are still taking stock of their loss, at the time of writing, but media reports indicate that over 40% of the city has been submerged by the flood, with vital facilities affected.
At the last count, the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the main cemetery at Gwange, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Maiduguri new Prisons, Mosques and Churches, business areas and private residences have been affected. The Sanda Kyarimi park is not spared, with wild animals either perished or dangerously prowling in the waters.
Reports say inmates may have escaped from the Correctional facilities and definitely dead bodies in the cemetry will be washed up to the surface.
I was moved with pity as I watched the Vice President Kashim Shettima navigating through the flood to assess the situation and give assurances to people that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Borno State Government to provide succour.
More pitiable are the hundreds of thousands of residents, who have moved to higher grounds, or could be seen squatting by the flowing water. Many were not lucky to have rescued food items, clothing and beddings. Most are not sure of their next meal, nor where to lay their heads.
Children could be seen clinging to the aprons and wrappers of their struggling parents, crying from hunger. The parents themselves look confused as to how to comfort the weeping kids.Nobody knows how the situation will be like in the night, when the heavens are likely to open up again for the drowning rains.
Movements are almost impossible for rescue efforts by government, as the water volume continued increasing by the hour.
It was a situation of what the Hebrews call “balagan”.
Up until the afternoon of Tuesday, the situation did not seem to be abating.
The Alau Dam, which supplies drinking water to most parts of Maiduguri metropolis is becoming a curse, and the water the people used to drink seems to be angry with the people.
Clerics are calling for prayers, government has ordered for immediate evacuation, the Army, the Fire Service, FRSC and other aid agencies have been fully mobilized to assist in the evacuation and resettlement, while the citizen are crying that help us not coming fast enough.
Coming at a time Borno state citizens are beginning to smile that life is gradually normalising from years of displacement and disillusionment from Boko Haram insurgency, one cannot help but pity and share in the feelings of disappointment by the state Governor, Babagaba Umara Zulum.
The waters may soon recede and, as happened before, the hitherto dry gutters of Maiduguri may turn to fishing ponds.
● Bwala, a former commissioner in Borno State, sent this via WhatsApp.
