More than 100 people killed after widespread flooding hits Nigeria

More than 100 people were killed after two major rivers burst their banks in Nigeria, destroying homes and farms. A national disaster has been declared in 4 of Nigeria's 36 states. Water levels in parts of the country are reaching those recorded in 2012 when the country endured its worst flooding in more than 50 years.

The events took place over the past two weeks, after heavy rains caused the Niger and Benue rivers to overflow, resulting in a series of devastating floods in towns and cities across the country. Tens of thousands of people were left trapped in their homes and more than 100 killed.

The worst affected is Niger State, where more than 40 people have died.

"We have declared a national disaster in four states – Kogi, Delta, Anambra and Niger," said Sani Datti, a spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Eight other states are being monitored – Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara.

NEMA said water levels on Monday were continuing to rise in Lokoja, Kobi State and had reached 11.06 m (36 feet) – approaching those of similar devastating flooding in 2012 when more than 350 people lost their lives and about two million others were left homeless in 30 states. It was Nigeria's worst flooding in more than 50 years. This year's flooding in Lokoja is already described as the worst in decades.

Thousands of people have been displaced and vast swathes of farmlands have been destroyed by the floods in central and southern parts of the country, said the BBC's Is'haq Khalid.

The country is at the end of its rainy season, which runs from March to September) but authorities said the rains and flooding will continue in the days and weeks ahead.

Locals say the flooding has been exacerbated by poor infrastructure and lack of planning.

Featured image credit: Naij.com