As local government officials scramble to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of people being evacuated from their waterlogged homes, the death toll from floods in Nigeria this year has risen to 603.
The crisis, which has affected residents in 33 of Nigeria’s 36 states, has caused more than 1.3 million people to be displaced, the humanitarian affairs ministry reported late on Sunday.
Worries about disruptions in the food supply have grown as at least 3,400 sq km (1,300 sq miles) of land have been flooded. Nigeria’s northwest and central areas, which provide the majority of the nation’s food, have already seen production put at risk due to conflict.
However, this year’s floods is the worst in more than ten years, particularly in its coastal regions. Authorities attribute the catastrophe to exceptional rainfall and the release of extra water from the nearby Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The bad news is that it has been pouring for the previous few days and that it is anticipated to continue pouring for the foreseeable future, according to Idris.
He declared that “the water levels are rising to an alarming level.” “The force of the water’s flow has also increased. The flood waters from upstream are still flowing in this direction.
According to a statement released by his office, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered “everyone concerned to work for the restoration of normalcy.”
Source: Al jazera
