Nigeria Floods Surge in 2025: More Than 150 Dead, Disease Threat Looms

In late May 2025, devastating flash floods described by local officials as the worst in 60 years central struck Nigeria, especially Mokwa in Niger State. Torrential rainfall from May 29 to 30th swept away homes, destroyed roads and bridges, and resulted in at least 151 confirmed deaths, with nearly 100 people still missing, according to Reuters.

The scale of destruction is alarming: floodwaters inundated over 3,000 houses in Mokwa alone, forcing thousands into temporary shelters or makeshift camps. With sanitation systems overwhelmed and drinking water contaminated, authorities caution that waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery could surge in the coming weeks. Earlier, a cholera outbreak hit Borno State in October 2024 after similar floods, with 17 confirmed cases and nearly 500 suspected acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) incidents reported.

In the wake of disaster, Nigeria’s government and communities are confronting a dual crisis: managing immediate flood damage while preparing for a potential public health emergency linked to contaminated water. Mobile health clinics, emergency hygiene campaigns, and community-level surveillance are being scaled up to prevent disease spread. These efforts could be crucial in the warming climate context where extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent, and health infrastructure is often ill-prepared.

Read more about extreme weather here.

Read more about health risks here.