The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed alarming figures regarding the current flooding situation in Nigeria. According to the latest report, over 1 million people have been affected across 29 states and 172 Local Government Areas. The floods have resulted in 259 deaths and displaced 625,239 individuals.
NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar shared these details during the National Emergency Coordination Forum on September 12. She outlined the agency’s ongoing efforts, which include deploying additional personnel, distributing water purification equipment, and providing essential food and non-food items. Borno State is particularly hard-hit, with the situation worsened by a broken spillway at the Alau Dam.
The flooding aligns with the predictions made in the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which had warned of high flood risks in 33 states between July and September.
NEMA commended the Borno State government for its swift response, including the activation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and leading rescue operations. The agency is working closely with humanitarian partners to offer ongoing support and relief to flood-affected areas, with the Federal Government committed to providing sustainable assistance to alleviate the impact of this disaster.