The federal government has said that, as of October 16, a total of 2,504,095 people have been affected by floods in different states across the country.
Out of the figure, 1,302, 589 people have been displaced from their homes nationwide, while 2,407 have been injured.
Also, 603 people have died in different states as a result of the floods, while 121,318 houses have been partially damaged and 82,053 houses totally damaged, with thousands of hectares of farmlands damaged.
While reeling the statistics, during a world press conference on Sunday in Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, revealed that states like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa are still at the risk of experiencing floods up till end of November and should activate evacuation plans.
She lamented that, “despite all our efforts of averting the consequence of the 2022 flooding season, unfortunately we have recorded the loss of over 500 lives, partial or total damage of more than 90,000 houses, damage of more than 140, 000 hectares of farmland, so many roads and other critical infrastructures were also affected.”
She said: “You all will recall that on Tuesday, 15th February 2022, the Nigerian Metrological Agency released the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction informing us that the rains of 2022 will be heavier and longer. Furthermore, on Thursday, 12th May 2022, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency released the Annual Flood Outlook.
“Immediately after these two releases, the National Emergency Management Agency was all out, armed with the scientific releases from the two Agencies, in the media and went to all States and FCT, warning of expected floods and advising on mitigating and preparedness actions they need to take to minimise losses and damages. I also briefed the National Economic Council on 22nd September, 2022, were I outlined preparedness strategies that all State Governments should take to mitigate the 2022 floods.
“I have laid this background so that you will appreciate the concern of this Ministry that despite all these efforts, we still appear to have become overwhelmed by the flood when it came.
“However, in response to the 2022 flood situation, I directed the Permanent Secretary to convene an emergency technical stakeholder meeting of all responsive Agencies to strategies immediate response to the situation. That meeting held on the 11th October 2022 and they all have formulated plans and strategies for response.
“While we mourn the unfortunate boat mishap in Anambra State and other locations, please we must note that we are not completely out of the wood. Because the Metrological Agencies are warning that States like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa are still at the risk of experiencing floods up till end of November.
“So, we are calling on the respective State Governments, LGAs and Communities to prepare by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, providing tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supply for possible outbreak of water borne disease.”
