Flooding in Nigeria has so far claimed more lives than in any other time in a decade, according to the reports.
The flash floods have, to this point, claimed more than 500 lives, and caused numerous destructions in various parts of the most populous African country. According to Tuesday’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs report, over 1.4 million persons have been displaced, about 500 persons have been reported dead… and 1,546 persons injured.
“Similarly, 45,249 houses were totally damaged… while 70,566 hectares of farmlands were completely destroyed,” added the statement from the ministry’s Deputy Director Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya.
The flooding in Nigeria further had ripple effects in other sectors as there were experiences of oil scarcity in other regions after oil tankers were not able to go through roads and highways which were washed away by the floods.
In southern Anambra state, 76 people died when a boat they we on board capsized last Friday during flooding of the Niger River.
It is still expected that more rains will be experienced in the coming weeks and months. The rainy season typically ends in November in northern states, and in December in the south.
Until Thursday, “heavy rainfall is anticipated over parts of Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue and Cross Rivers State,” the Meteorological Agency said on Facebook, adding that “flash flooding is likely”.
Authorities are now pointing fingers at some measures that were taken, to be the reasons for the increase in floodings this year. Floods usually start in June, but this time round, it came late in the year – in August. By Friday last week, it was also reported that many displacements occurred around August and September – coming way much after the normal times.
The high level of damage caused is also because by scrupulous construction activities. People had ignored regional planning rules when they were doing their constructions, as some houses were erected along waterways – exposing them to more dangers should floods rage.
Unlike in 2012 where 362 died by the floods, this time round, that number had already been surprised, and the waters are still raging.
Due to the current flooding in Nigeria, the World Food Programme and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization said last month that Nigeria was among six countries facing a high risk of catastrophic levels of hunger.
