Photo Credit: UNHCR Nigeria

by Deborah Nnamdi

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has said that 259 persons have died, about 625,239 displaced and over one million persons affected by flood-related issues between April and September 2024.

This data was revealed after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) asked Nigerians living along the bank of the River Benue basin to quickly move to safer grounds.

Director General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, specifically warned on Thursday that water on the River Benue has reached the flooding level due to increased rainfall.

He also urged those living along the banks of River Niger to move to a safe location as the management of Kainji and Jebba Dams are working to control the floodwaters.

The NIHSA chief urged Nigerians to cooperate with the emergency management agencies and work together to build resilience against flooding in Nigeria and minimise the effects of the flood.

The government recently warned Nigerians to relocate to safe ground after the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

Water release from the overflowing Alau Dam killed over 30 persons and swept away thousands of homes in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

In 2022, flooding ravaged many states, claimed 665 lives, displaced 2,437,411 persons, and affected 4,476,867 persons, according to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

In 2023, devastating floods affected 159,157 individuals, caused the loss of 28 lives, and displaced 48,168.

The release of water from the Lagdo Dam contributed to some of the flooding cases experienced.

For 2024, NEMA said flooding affected 1,048,312 people between April and September 2024, displaced 625,239 persons and killed 259 lives, NEMA reported.

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