FG: Flood 500 killed, over 1.4 million affected
The Federal Government on Tuesday revealed that 500 people have died as a result of the flooding across the country. It said the flood has so far wreaked havoc in 31 States of the Federation and the FCT with over 1.4million persons affected.
The Federal Government also said several farmlands and houses have been damaged due to the impact of the flooding. The government however said it was early to estimate the economic loss since the impact is still being felt. The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo disclosed these while giving updates on the recent floodings.
He said the recently approved National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Nigeria document by FEC will guide stakeholders in mitigating the impact of the flood. He said: “Over 500 people are reported dead. 1,411,051 persons have been affected. The displaced persons that have moved out of their location are up to 790,254.
“About 1,546 persons that were displaced are injured. “Furthermore, 44,099 houses are partially damaged; 45,249 houses were totally damaged and 76,168 hectares of farmland are partially damaged while 70,566 hectares of farmland are completely destroyed by the great deluge.”
On efforts made to curb the impact, he said: “At this scale, we are taking every necessary action to bring relief to the people affected.
“NEMA has so provided relief support to over 315,000 displaced persons across the flood disaster hotspots where state capacities have been overwhelmed. “Many communities have been affected but there is still prediction that many more communities may be affected especially along the line of River Benue, River Niger and down to the ocean.
Source: The Nation
