Just ten months after a catastrophic dam collapse claimed over 150 lives and submerged half the city, repairs to the critical Alau Dam are only now beginning.

Maiduguri

Work has started on rebuilding the Alao Dam in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, almost a year after its collapse resulted in over 150 deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Contractors are implementing diversion channels to manage rising water levels, but the effectiveness of these measures depends on the stability of upstream dams.

The dam's failure last year caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. With the rainy season intensifying, residents and local businesses are anxious about the possibility of another severe flood. Environmentalists attribute the recurring crises to poor dam maintenance and climate change, while officials promise repairs will be completed within two years.

Nigeria’s Maiduguri braces for more floods as dam works begin

In the shadow of a disaster, work is finally underway. The project to rebuild the Alao Dam in northeastern Nigeria, the same dam that collapsed 11 months ago, killing more than 150 people, is just getting started, even as water levels in its reservoir begin to rise. Contractors are racing to open diversion channels, a stopgap measure meant to relieve pressure on the dam. But its success depends on one major factor, whether upstream dams hold or are forced to release excess water. Although the project started a little bit later than expected, the contractors are catching up and we've had alternative routes for the water to flow through before the completion of the project. Last year, sections of the dam gave way, unleashing a torrent that submerged parts of Maiduguri, displaced hundreds of thousands and caused widespread damage to homes, roads and businesses. Nigeria has more than 340 dams, but many like Alao suffer from decades of neglect. Poor maintenance and silted rivers are turning the country's flood season into a yearly catastrophe. Officials here say the damaged structure will be fixed in 24 months, assuring residents that they have nothing to worry about. But as the rainy season peaks, the city and villages downstream are bracing for what they say is likely to come, a flood more devastating than the one that hit last year. Vehicle spare parts dealer Sande Mwodo is one of thousands rebuilding after last year's disaster. I lost, that had about four shops in Bank of North here, and the whole shop was flooded. I even have two warned that even the flood was able to collapse. My fear is that if what happened last year, we are able to repeat itself again. In fact, I don't know, it will be very, very terrible. Environmentalists say the lack of investment in maintaining the dams, along with climate change, is fuelling Nigeria's worsening flood crisis, with hundreds dead this year alone. With no permanent fix in sight and rain falling harder each day, the people of Maiduguri are holding their breath, watching the skies and the dam, in fear. Ahmed Idris, Al Jazeera, Maiduguri.

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