Tears, sorrow, destruction and displacement hit thousands of people following the disastrous flooding that nearly swallowed towns and villages of Maiduguri and the Jere local government areas of Borno State, North East Nigeria. The flood swept through communities and left disturbing trails of ruins in the affected areas.

It sparked intense debate over its causes, and HumAngle found through satellite data and an analysis of budgetary allocations that the breakdown of the Alau Dam was due to negligence and lack of accountability. Alau Dam, a critical infrastructure designed to regulate water flow and provide irrigation and drinking water, overflowed following heavy rainfall, resulting in unprecedented flooding, the worst crisis of its kind in 30 years.

The flood has displaced over 400,000 people, including those affected by the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency. HumAngle’s on-site reporting has documented how women, children, and elderly people are the most affected by this crisis. The flooding submerged towns and villages on Sept. 10, but some families are already picking up the ruins to rebuild their homes.

The state government set up temporary makeshift camps to accommodate victims of the flood, yet several families could not make it to the camp for unclear reasons.  Some other families passed the nights on sprawling streets and host communities.