The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, announced on Thursday in Kebbi that over 1,061,254 people have been displaced by flooding across Nigeria, with 634,035 homes damaged and 94,741 hectares of farmland submerged.
The alarming statistics highlight the severe impact of recent floods and the ongoing risk of further disasters.
Represented by Dr. Daniel Obot, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Umar cautioned that 16 local government areas in Kebbi State are predicted to be affected by flooding this year. The agency aims to implement early warning strategies to improve risk communication and engage communities in proactive flood management.
“The rainfall and flood advisories from the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and Annual Flood Outlooks (AFO) have provided critical early warning alerts,” Umar stated. She emphasized the need for collective action to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding, particularly for vulnerable communities identified as at risk.
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According to NEMA’s data from the National Emergency Coordination Centre (EOC), as of September 13, 176 local government areas across 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, have been affected—surpassing earlier predictions of 148 local government areas across 31 states.
The agency reported that 125,805 hectares of farmland are submerged, significantly impacting agricultural productivity and food security.
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Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Abubakar Umar-Tafida, praised NEMA for its proactive measures in flood management.
He stated, “Your expertise will bolster our efforts to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.”
The governor noted that recent severe flooding had already displaced communities in at least 13 local government areas, disrupting agricultural activities. He expressed commitment to collaborating with NEMA to enhance flood early warning systems and strengthen emergency preparedness and response.
The governor’s call for continued partnership with NEMA underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by flooding in Nigeria, particularly as the country prepares for the possibility of more severe weather events.