Severe flooding triggered by weeks of intense rainfall has claimed the lives of at least 179 people and displaced an estimated 200,000 individuals in parts of Nigeria.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that the northern region of the country has borne the brunt of the flooding, with over 107,600 hectares of farmland affected.
While most of the fatalities have occurred in the north, NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo warns that the central and southern regions may face even more severe flooding as the rainy season intensifies.
Manzo did not specify the exact timeline of the deaths and displacements but emphasized the growing threat posed by the rising water levels in major rivers like the Niger and Benue.
Communities situated along the banks of these rivers are particularly vulnerable, and even areas previously untouched by floods are now experiencing inundation.
The combination of heavy rainfall and inadequate infrastructure has contributed to the widespread destruction caused by these natural disasters.
Nigeria has a history of grappling with devastating floods. In 2012, over 360 people lost their lives, and 2.1 million were displaced.
The floods of 2022 were even more catastrophic, resulting in the deaths of more than 500 people and displacing 1.4 million.