Nigeria Flood: Death Toll Rises to 603, Expect Food Inflation
The current death toll of Nigerians in flood ravaged states as at yesterday Sunday October 16, 2022, is currently at 603, while more than 1.3 million Nigerians are displaced from their homes, a statement by Nigeria’s Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
The flooding also completely destroyed more than 82,000 houses and nearly 110,000 hectares (272,000 acres) of farmland, said Umar Farouq.
While the rainy season usually begins around June, the rainfall had been particuarly heavy since August, said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Rice producers have warned that the devastating floods could impact prices in the country of some 200 million people where rice imports are banned to stimulate local production.
According to the statement by Nigeria’s Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, during a media briefing on the recent flooding in the country.
She gave the situation report and briefed the media on what Nigeria’s Humanitarian Affairs Ministry has done so far.
“Unfortunately, over 603 lives have been lost as of yesterday Sunday October 16, 2022.
“A total of 1,302,589 persons have been displaced, 2,504.095 persons have been affected, on the whole, 2,407 persons have been injured, and a total of 82,053 houses are completely damaged while 121,318 are partially damaged. 108,392 hectares of farmland were partially destroyed while 332,327 hectares were totally destroyed including many roads and other critical infrastructure.”
The Minister express her condolences and sympathy for the unfortunate boat mishap in Anambra State and other locations;
“Please we must note that we are not completely out of the woods because the Meteorological Agencies are warning that States like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa are still at risk of experiencing floods up till the end of November.
“I called on the respective State Governments, Local Government Councils, and Communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, providing tents and relief materials, freshwater as well as medical supplies for possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
“There was enough warning and information about the 2022 flood but States, Local Governments, and Communities appear not to take heed I have formed a high-powered delegation to visit State Governors to advocate for more commitment to strengthen State response mechanisms as stipulated in the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
