Nigeria floods affect 12 states, displace thousands

At least 199 people have died in floods in 12 Nigerian states and thousands have been displaced as 130 communities are inundated.

One of the worst-affected areas is the state of Niger, where at least 40 people have died. People’s homes and farms are all flooded and the only means of navigating through is by boat.

The situation has remained for weeks and the water is not receding. This is the result of torrential rains and the release of water from two flooded dams in the state.

The floods have resulted in heavy losses for local residents, who mainly make a living on fishing and farming.

Residents say flooding has been a common occurrence in the area for the past four years but this year the floods are the worst so far.

As the displaced people crowd a public school close to the state capital, the authorities say they are now working out a resettlement plan, but is seeking assistance to address the crisis.

The good news is that the government says the water level is coming down, allaying fears of continued flooding.

The flooding in Nigeria was declared on September 17 as a “national disaster” in four states – Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Delta. It is one of the worst flooding disasters in country’s history.