Severe flooding in Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 179 people and displaced approximately 200,000 others following several weeks of intense rainfall, according to an emergency official's report on Thursday.
The most severe impact of the flooding has been felt in the northern regions of the country, with at least 107,600 hectares (265,885 acres) of farmland also affected, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Although the northern region has experienced the majority of casualties, NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo warned that the central and southern regions of Nigeria could face even more severe conditions as the rains continue.
Manzo did not specify the exact timeline for when the deaths and displacements occurred but noted that the situation could worsen as water from the north flows into central and southern areas. Communities situated along the banks of major rivers, such as the Niger and Benue, are at higher risk. Manzo also pointed out that some regions, previously not known for flooding, have been unexpectedly impacted this year.
Flooding in Nigeria, often caused by heavy rainfall and inadequate infrastructure, has historically led to significant destruction. In 2012, more than 360 people lost their lives, and over 2.1 million were displaced. The situation worsened in 2022, with over 500 deaths and 1.4 million people displaced in the worst flooding the country had seen in a decade.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the issue on Wednesday, stating that authorities would issue warnings to help mitigate the effects of such environmental disasters. Manzo added that emergency officials have already developed plans to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster, emphasizing the need for swift action to ensure that communities are not caught off guard.