In 2012, heavy floods swept parts of Bayelsa, a surprise to many residents of the coastal state. Virtually all the communities along the river bank such as Sagbama, Adagbabiri, Peretorugbene, Agbere, Ofoni, Ayamasa, Sabagriea, Igbedi, Famgbe, Yenaka, Ogu, Fortorugbene, Agbura, Aguadama-Epetiama, Oporoma, Ndoro, Tombia, Peremabiri, Elemebiri, Asamabiri, Angalabiri, Opokuma, Odi, Kaiama, Biseni, Gbarantoru, Tombia Amassoma and Ekeremor among others were submerged. Residential and public buildings including schools, banks, churches and town halls were overtaken by floods, leaving thousands of families homeless with their means of livelihood destroyed.
Nigeria continues to witness the rainy season, flood disasters are beginning to manifest in different parts of the country (a sign that global warming is affecting Africa too). More than 100 communities in Niger state are currently submerged following the overflow of the River Niger, Channels Television reports. According to the report, farmlands and houses have also been destroyed, leaving residents of the affected communities homeless. Last week, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency informed citizens that all indices that preceded the 2012 flood disaster were manifesting.
UPDATE: The DG of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, has warned that flooding could get worse as water inflow into River Niger & Benue is so huge that both rivers can only accommodate less than two meters of water before they will overflow their banks into nearby communities. #FloodUpdate pic.twitter.com/mpGRilwCAy
— Kogi Facts (@KogiFacts) September 16, 2018
The Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has approved three billion Naira (about $8.2 million) to cater for medical and relief support for persons affected by flooding in parts of the country.
“I have approved 3 billion Naira for the procurement of medical and relief materials to meet the needs of victims of the flooding. NEMA is also providing me with regular updates on the situation,” Buhari added.
Meanwhile, NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Maihaja, has warned that flooding could get worse as water inflow into River Niger & Benue is so huge that both rivers can only accommodate less than two meters of water before they will overflow their banks into nearby communities. He is expected to visit Kogi State, one of the states worst affected by the development. Lokoja is the capital of Kogi State and a confluence town where River Niger (West Africa’s longest) meets River Benue with both flowing downhills to empty into the Atlantic ocean.
Hello African media. Not Florence Hurricane in the US. Worst floods in decades in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria has already killed 21 and left countless homes destroyed. Have you heard of it at all? pic.twitter.com/EdFmtlFdHZ
— Carlos Lopes (@LopesInsights) September 16, 2018
The floods have been devastating. NEMA is warning there will be more flooding as Rivers Niger and Benue continue to rise. Dams from nearby countries opened. It’s just too much. 😢
— Ni’ima (@naimanasir) September 15, 2018
100+ people in Nigeria have been killed by floods after rains caused its two major rivers to burst their banks. The government says water levels are close to 2012 floods that killed 363 people and is preparing to issue a state of emergency. pic.twitter.com/jYBKibwBxv
— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 17, 2018
