Dam Collapse in Nigeria Sweeps Deadly Reptiles Into Flooded Communities

Dam Collapse in Nigeria Sweeps Deadly Reptiles Into Flooded Communities
Houses are partially submerged following a dam collapse in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Sept 10, 2024. Musa Ajit Borno/AP Photos
The Associated Press
Updated:
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ABUJA, Nigeria—A dam collapsed Tuesday in northeastern Nigeria unleashing severe flooding that prompted evacuations and swept deadly reptiles from a zoo into communities in the area, local officials and a zoo manager said.

The collapse of the Alau dam in the state of Borno caused some of the state’s worst flooding since the same dam collapsed 30 years ago, and prompted many residents to flee their homes. The dam was at full capacity due to unusually high rains, according to the state government.