Nigeria struggles with worst floods over a decade, 600 dead

Nigeria is struggling with widespread floods, which have affected 27 out of Nigeria's 36 states. 600 people have succumbed to death.

Nigeria is struggling with widespread floods, which have affected 27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states.

The death toll from floods is on a steady rise. So far, more than 600 people have succumbed to death.

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Sadiya Umar Farouq, the minister for disaster management, believes that Recent flooding in Nigeria has become an “overwhelming” disaster, and even ample warnings did not correctly prepare many states for the disaster.

Experts have termed this disaster the worst flooding the West African nation has seen in a decade.

According to forecasters, the floods will continue from October until November.

The nation in Eastern Africa is used to seasonal flooding. However, this year the floods have been significantly worse than usual.

According to the government, heavy rains and climate change are to blame for the floods.

The emergency release of excess water from dams in Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon was another critical factor causing the devastating flooding.

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Experts have also blamed poor planning and infrastructure. According to them, these factors have exacerbated the damage.

The floods began in early summer. Since then, the floods have destroyed large areas encompassing farmlands.

Now the government is concerned about the increased vulnerability of the population to various diseases.

Additionally, the floods have also disrupted food and fuel supplies.

At a press conference hosted by the nation on Sunday, the minister for humanitarian affairs and disaster management in the Government of Nigeria, Sadiya Umar Farouk, urged local authorities to evacuate people living in the most high-risk areas.

According to the minister, The various authorities of Nigeria are already providing food and other support to those affected by the floods.

However, she added that despite ”concerted efforts” and early warnings, the governments of many states “did not prepare” for the flooding.

One of the issues is that people are forced to return to their homes on flood plains after the water levels have subsided.

This is because people lack the resources to relocate to a different place. The meteorological agency of Nigeria has warned that the flooding could continue until the end of November in some states in the south of the country, including Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Bayelsa.

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