Abuja: The death toll from severe flooding that swept through Niger State in northern Nigeria, caused by heavy rains, has risen to at least 200. The heavy rains that fell last Thursday caused devastating floods in Mokwa, about 380 kilometers west of Abuja. Mokwa is a commercial and transportation center where farmers in northern Nigeria sell their produce and other food to traders from the south.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported that more than 3,000 people in Mokwa town have been displaced, as the rains damaged at least 500 homes in three areas. The flooding has created a dire situation for the residents, many of whom are now seeking urgent assistance.

Nigerian authorities ordered a halt to rescue operations, while emergency teams began extracting bodies from under the rubble to prevent the spread of disease. The halt in rescue operations has raised concerns among the displaced about the potential for further loss of life and the need for immediate aid and relief measures.