Heavy rains in northeastern Nigeria have resulted in at least 49 fatalities and displaced thousands of residents, according to authorities on Monday.
The states of Jigawa, Adamawa, and Taraba have been severely impacted, with around 41,344 people forced to flee their homes.
In 2022, Nigeria endured its most severe flooding in over ten years, leading to over 600 deaths, displacing approximately 1.4 million people, and destroying 440,000 hectares of farmland.
Officials warn that the country is approaching the peak of the rainy season, especially in the northern regions, with conditions worsening. The floods have damaged about 693 hectares of farmland, adding to the nation’s inflation issues driven by high food prices.
The farming sector faces additional challenges as farmers abandon their lands in the northeast due to ongoing militant attacks.
This year’s flood outlook indicated that 31 of the 36 states in Nigeria are at significant risk of flooding. High tides from upstream in the River Niger are contributing to the current situation, confirming earlier flood warnings.
