The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has said that no fewer than 33,983 persons are already affected by the 2023 flooding in different parts of the country.
This was disclosed by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting of the agency, Hajiya Fatima Kasim at the Emergency Coordination Forum Meeting in Abuja.
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She stated that in the last seven months, some data had been collated by the agency on the figure of people affected so far by flood disasters in the country.
“As at Aug. 9, the following data has been collated in respect of 2023 flooding.
“Number of states affected – 10 states; Number of persons affected – 33,983; Number of persons displaced – 7,353; Number of persons injured – 75; Number of deaths – 5; Number of houses totally damaged – 1,679 and Farmlands totally damaged – 866 hectares,” she said.
According to her, flooding which had become a yearly occurrence in the country, is usually caused by various factors which include improper building and infrastructure design and construction.
She listed other factors to include; poor drainage system, poor solid waste management, harmful land-use practices such as deforestation and climate change, among others.
The Director said that the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction released by NiMet earlier in the year predicted a normal to above-normal rainfall patterns for the country.
She added that the Annual Flood Outlook forecasted by NIHSA also predicted that 178 local government areas in 32 states and FCT are within the high flood risk areas.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, NEMA, said the agency deemed it fit to resuscitate the Emergency Coordination Forum meeting to give adequate attention to disaster management.
“The emergency coordination forum is an avenue for stakeholders to come together to discuss humanitarian challenges being faced by the citizens as a result of disasters and emergencies.
“This is to foster partnership, collaboration and cooperation among relevant stakeholders in emergency management in the country,” he said (NAN).
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