Flooding in Nigeria: Death Toll Rises to 49, Thousands Displaced

Heavy Rains Cause Devastating Flooding in Northeast

At least 49 people have been killed and thousands displaced in Nigeria after heavy rains caused flooding in the northeast of the country, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), said on Monday.

States Affected by Floods

Three states in the northeast, Jigawa, Adamawa and Taraba, have been hit hard by floods, with 41,344 people displaced, said NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel.

Previous Flooding Experience

In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst flood in more than a decade which killed more than 600 people, displaced around 1.4 million and destroyed 440,000 hectares of farmland.

Current Situation

“We are just entering into the peak of the season, particularly in the northern part of the country and the situation is very dire,” Ezekiel told Reuters.

The floods have also destroyed farmlands affecting around 693 hectares of agricultural land. Nigeria is battling double-digit inflation which has been stoked by high food prices.

Heavy rains have added to problems in the farming sector where farmers are deserting their farms in the northeast due to repeated attacks by militants.

Flood Outlook

The government in this year’s flood outlook said 31 of the country’s 36 states were at risk of experiencing “high flood.”

“We also have information about the high tide in the upper countries of the River Niger before Nigeria. All of these are flowing towards Nigeria. We are beginning to see a manifestation of our predictions,” Ezekiel said.

Conclusion

The flooding in Nigeria is a devastating crisis that has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. The government and emergency services are working to respond to the crisis, but more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of the floods and support those affected.

FAQs

• Q: How many people have been killed in the floods?
  A: At least 49 people have been killed.
• Q: How many people have been displaced?
  A: Thousands of people have been displaced.
• Q: Which states are affected by the floods?
  A: Jigawa, Adamawa and Taraba states in the northeast are affected.
• Q: What is the government doing to respond to the crisis?
  A: The government is working with emergency services to respond to the crisis and provide support to those affected.