Floods in Nigeria have killed more than 300 people and displaced more than 100,000 people, according to authorities.
What’s happening now
Nigeria is currently suffering from its deadliest floods in recent years. Floods have hit 29 of the country’s 36 states, according to officials. Homes and farmland have been destroyed as well.
Why this is happening
Heavy rains and the release of excess water from dams by authorities in Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon are to blame. Rivers are overflowing as well.
More floods are forecast in the following weeks, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency. It encouraged state governments to assist in the evacuation of persons living in flood-prone areas.
Digging deeper
Several African countries are experiencing unusually heavy rainfall, which is frequently accompanied by deadly floods.
Climate change, according to experts, is a factor. Poor infrastructure and a lack of mitigation measures are also thought to be contributing to the massive levels of destruction.
Government response
On Tuesday, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) convened an emergency meeting in response to devastating floods that could increase after neighboring Cameroon opened flood gates at a dam to release surplus water.
At least 300 people have been killed and over 100,000 have been displaced since the start of the rainy season in July. According to Nema Director General Mustapha Habib Ahmed, 13 Nigerian states are in jeopardy. It is feared spillover impacts of Cameroon’s Lagdo dam, compounded with excessive rains, could hurt more people.