Niger State Emergency Management Agency says 21 people have lost their lives following a severe rainfall that resulted into a flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government of Niger.

The Director General of the agency, Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, disclosed this to newsmen in Minna on Thursday.

He said the incident occurred during a torrential downpour on Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction.

Hussaini said three people were rescued alive, a woman and her two children and were receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.

He said 21 bodies have so far been recovered in the incident, while over 10 persons were still missing as search and rescue operation continued.

He said the affected communities were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa town.

He added that over 50 residential houses were submerged and washed away with their occupants.

He said NSEMA in collaboration with Mokwa Local Government, local divers, and volunteers were conducting search and rescue operations to rescue survivors and recover corpses.