According to a report released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday, at least 603 Nigerians have died and 2.5 million have been displaced as a result of the raging floods that have continued to wreak havoc in various parts of the nation.
This follows a warning from the federal government that Nigerians should prepare for increased flooding in the nation due to climate change, the Cameroonian government’s release of water from the Lagbo Dam, and the overflowing of rivers in several states.
At a press conference held on Sunday in Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, urged the state governments in the affected areas to make greater efforts to evacuate flood victims to higher ground. She revealed that approximately 121,318 houses were partially damaged, 82,053 houses were damaged, 108,392 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged, and 332,327 hectares of farmlands were damaged.
She also pledged that the Nigerian government will soon meet with its Cameroonian counterparts to find a lasting solution to the periodic release of its dam water.
“However, we must initiate a bilateral discussion with authorities in Cameroon in November on the periodic opening of the lagdo dam. The delegation to Cameroon is to be led by the permanent secretary of the Ministry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be requested to facilitate the meeting,” she said.
According to her, weather forecasts have indicated that states like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa were still at risk of experiencing floods until the end of November.
“So, we are calling on the respective state governments, LGAs and communities to prepare by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, providing tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supply for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases,” Farouq warned.
