Dam Collapse in Nigeria Unleashes Floods and Deadly Reptiles

A dam collapse in northeastern Nigeria has spawned severe flooding, causing evacuations and releasing deadly reptiles from a nearby zoo into local communities. The Alau dam in Borno state had hit its capacity due to rains and gave way on Tuesday, marking the region's worst flooding incident since a collapse of the same dam 30 years ago. No casualties have been reported yet, but approximately 15% of the state capital, Maiduguri, is submerged.

At the Borno State Museum Park, the deluge killed about 80% of the zoo's animals while several dangerous reptiles, including crocodiles and snakes, have escaped into populated areas, according to zoo manager Ali Abatcha Don Best. Authorities promptly issued evacuation orders for residents near riverbanks, and commissioner Usman Tar announced all schools in the state will close for two weeks as a precautionary measure.

This disaster exacerbates an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Borno caused by a decade-long insurgency by Boko Haram, which seeks to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. The conflict, which has extended beyond Nigeria's borders, has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 people and displaced 2.6 million others. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)