Nigeria flooding: National disaster declared after 100 die; president releases $8.3 million for relief materials

Lokoja: Nigeria has declared a national disaster after severe flooding left about 100 people dead across 10 states, the country’s main relief agency said on Tuesday. Heavy seasonal rains have caused the Niger and Benue rivers to burst their banks, inundating communities, farms and trapping tens of thousands of people in their homes. [caption id=“attachment_5210251” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Houses submerged on a flooded street after a heavy downpour in Nigeria. AP[/caption] Sani Datti, from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told AFP: “We have declared a national disaster in four states – Kogi, Delta, Anambra and Niger. “Eight other states are on the watch list. All these states have been the worst hit by the flooding. About 100 people have lost their lives in 10 states.” Kogi and Niger are in central Nigeria while Delta and Anambra are in the south. The Kogi state capital, Lokoja, lies at the confluence of both rivers and has been virtually submerged because of the rising waters. NEMA said water levels on Monday were continuing to rise in Lokoja and had reached 11.06 metres (36 feet) – approaching those of similar devastating flooding in 2012. Then, hundreds of people died and about two million others were left homeless in 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states. More rains are forecast on Tuesday, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday he had approved the release of three billion naira ($8.3 million) to buy medical and relief materials. Flooding along the rivers is a frequent occurrence during the annual rains, which fall from May to September. Datti said military personnel and equipment had been seconded to help the relief effort, as well as the evacuation of trapped residents from their homes.