At least 321 people have lost their lives and over 740,000 others have been displaced in Nigeria this year due to severe flooding, authorities reported on Thursday.
Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state in the southeastern region, disclosed that nearly 2,854 individuals have been injured as prolonged rainfall inundated the country's most populous areas. Speaking in Abuja after a National Economic Council meeting led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Soludo emphasized the gravity of the situation.
\"The country is facing a national emergency concerning flooding and the reports so far identify a major national disaster,\" Soludo stated. The relentless rains have led to widespread displacement, loss of lives, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods across 34 of Nigeria's 36 states, affecting 217 local government areas.
In response to the crisis, the Economic Council, which includes the vice president and all state governors, has initiated a thorough review of local waterways and dams. The council highlighted the urgent need for extensive dredging programs to mitigate future flooding impacts. Additionally, governors who have yet to report on their flooding management efforts have been urged to submit their reports immediately.
The floods have destroyed or damaged approximately 281,000 homes and 258,000 cultivated farmlands, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. As Nigeria grapples with this natural disaster, coordinated efforts are essential to provide relief and restore stability to the affected regions.
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At least 321 people killed in nationwide flooding in Nigeria
cgtn.com
