Flooding in Nigeria has become a yearly occurrence that claims lives and destroys many properties. According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, following two flood-related deaths in Abuja in July 2024, the rains have persisted, causing property and business disruption in the midst of a crippling economy where rising food costs are making matters worse for Nigerians.[3]
 Flooding in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria | |
| Date | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Abuja, Bauchi State, Borno State, Lagos State, Kano State, 31 total states |
| Cause | Heavy rainfall |
| Deaths | 303+[1] |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2,712+[2] |
Causes
editAs the rain increased on Thursday, 4 July 2024, the Federal Government reported that 10 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had either experienced varying degrees of flooding or had reported casualties.[4] Nigerian flooding is a complex problem caused by both natural and man-made causes. The main natural cause is excessive rainfall, which overwhelms many cities' drainage systems.[5]
Flooding by location
editAbuja
editFloods caused two fatalities in Abuja and the rains continued. This resulted in property and business destruction in Abuja metropolis.[3]
Lagos
editIn the Mushin neighborhood of Lagos, the ensuing floods destroyed a two-story structure and overpowered the locals, preventing students from attending school in several areas of the state. A student was carried away by the floods in the Ketu area of Lagos State.[4]
Borno State
editOn September 10, the Alau Dam collapsed, causing floods in Borno State, killing at least 38 people, displacing 419,000 others and causing the community to submerge 70%.[6]
Bauchi State
editA flood in Bauchi State caused the deaths of 24 people, the injuries of at least 163 others and caused 122,330 others to be displaced.[7]
Other
edit31 states have been affected by flooding, causing hundreds of deaths, injuring thousands of others and affecting 1.2 million.
References
edit- ^ "Nigeria: Floods - Situation Report No. 2 (As of 6 October 2024)". OCHA. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "Deluge of Death: Flood leaves Nigerian community in ruins". Premium Times. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Gabriel, Ewepu (July 14, 2024). "Deadly Downpour: More floods coming, nowhere to run". Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Reporters, Our (2024-07-05). "10 states battling flooding, 21 others at risk, FG warns". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "NEMA and 2024 flood alerts: Towards disaster mitigation - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com/. 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Nigeria floods kill at least 30 people and displace some 400,000". France 24. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Flood Kills 24, Displaces 122,330 In Bauchi". Leadership. Retrieved September 17, 2024.