LAGOS: Floods in Nigeria have claimed at least 179 lives and displaced around 200,000 people following weeks of heavy rainfall, according to an emergency official on Thursday.
The most severe flooding has occurred in northern Nigeria, where approximately 107,600 hectares (265,885 acres) of farmland have been affected, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
While the majority of the casualties have been in the northern region, NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo warned that the central and southern parts of the country could face worsening conditions as the rains continue. The exact timing of the deaths and displacements was not specified.
Manzo noted that water flow from the north could exacerbate flooding in central and southern regions, particularly affecting communities along the Niger and Benue rivers. Some areas previously not known for flooding have also been impacted.
Historical data shows that flooding, often due to heavy rains and inadequate infrastructure, has caused significant damage in Nigeria.
In 2012, floods resulted in over 360 deaths and displaced more than 2.1 million people. In 2022, more than 500 people died and 1.4 million were displaced in the worst flooding event in a decade.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced on Wednesday that authorities would issue warnings to mitigate the effects of environmental disasters. Manzo added that emergency officials are implementing measures to prevent future incidents and ensure that people are better prepared.
