The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that floods have caused the deaths of 201 people across 15 states in Nigeria this year.
News About Nigeria reports that the disaster, which has wreaked havoc in numerous regions, has left widespread destruction in its wake, severely affecting lives and properties.
The worst-hit states include Kano, Jigawa, Bayelsa, and Bauchi, with Kano State recording the highest number of fatalities at 35.
Jigawa follows closely with 34 deaths, while Bayelsa and Bauchi have reported 25 and 23 deaths, respectively. Other affected states include Adamawa (15 deaths), Taraba (15), Zamfara (13), Sokoto (12), Yobe (10), Katsina (7), Niger (5), Borno (2), Ebonyi (2), Kaduna (2), and Nasarawa (1).
According to NEMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre, the floods have affected 611,201 people across 29 states and 154 local government areas.
The disaster has displaced 225,169 individuals, damaged 83,457 homes, injured 2,119 people, and destroyed 115,265 hectares of farmland.
In response to the ongoing crisis, NEMA has issued warnings to residents in several states, including Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa, urging them to brace for potential flooding.
States in the central and southern regions have also been advised to take precautions, as downstream communities may face flood-related impacts.
Two weeks ago, the Bauchi State office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) cautioned farmers and residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant.
Bauchi’s NOA Director, Theresa Omaga, urged farmers, particularly those in riverine areas, to take extra precautions amid persistent rainfall that has already ravaged communities.
She also appealed to individuals with essential services or responsibilities in affected areas to ensure they stay updated on recent NiMet predictions to receive timely updates, adding that persistent rain in many areas has resulted in elevated water levels and subsequent flooding.