At least 18 people dead, 41 959 displaced as persistent rains cause widespread floods, Niger

At least 18 people have died and 41 959 have been displaced as floods caused by persistent rains continue affecting Nigeria, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

Alhaji Ahmed Inga, the director-general of NSEMA, confirmed the reports in a statement, following the agency's quick assessment of the 2019 flood disaster.

NSEMA worked with the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) in the assessment.

"The flood also affected 20 local government areas, 516 communities and submerged 152 communities, while 2,714 houses were destroyed and 41,959 persons displaced," Inga stated.

The affected areas include Mokwa, Lapai, Lavun, Borgu, Shiroro, Katcha, Kotangora, Mashegu, Gurara, Suleja, Gbako, Chanchaga, Bosso, Agaie, Agwara, Rafi, Munya, Edati, Paikoro, and Wushishi local government areas.

Floods started in August after a localized high-intensity rainfall with heavy winds triggered huge run-off in streams, rivers, and drainage in both urban and rural areas.

"Five people were killed in Ketso community, a child in Kontagora town and a seven-year-old Khadijat Aliyu in Fadipe areas of the state. Also, a father and his three sons lost their lives in Edati, three primary school pupils in Gurara, three children in Yuna village of Borgu local government area of the state," the NSEMA chief reported.

Farmlands, roads, bridges, and other structures have been destroyed as well during the disaster.

From June to September, floods in the area have resulted in 57 fatalities and 130 000 affected families. 23 000 families were forced to flee their homes since early October until the figures have risen.

Featured image credit: News Agency Nigeria