Flood: 372 deaths recorded in eight months
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday said it has recorded 372 deaths in the last eight months due to floods.
The flash floods which were experienced in 33 states of the country affected over 508,000 persons, it was said.
The agency also said 277 persons were injured while 37,633 houses were destroyed.
Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, also said several farmlands in Adamawa, Jigawa, Taraba, Kano, Bauchi, Niger, Anambra, and Ebonyi states were submerged.
Ahmed spoke in Abuja during the commissioning and induction of new operational vehicles and specialised equipment.
“In the last eight months, floods in Nigeria, mostly flash floods, have inundated 33 out of 36 states and the FCT.
“It has affected over 508,000 persons, leading to about 372 deaths, 277 injured persons, destruction of about 37,633 houses, loss of huge numbers of livestock and some farmlands have been submerged, mostly in Adamawa, Jigawa, Taraba, Kano, Bauchi, Niger, Anambra, and Ebonyi states. These have been accompanied by other derivative disasters.”
The equipment commissioned included: “Three Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulances (MICUs), three Incident Response Vehicles (IRVs), two motorised boats, two inflatable boats, nine floodlights, 15 probe cameras, three life locators, 15 breaching systems, nine chain saws, six concrete cutters, nine full-body harness and nine hose pump units, among others.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive in Jigawa today in solidarity with the state over the devastation caused by floods.
In a statement, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Sankara, said Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar is expected to receive him.
The recent flooding rendered thousands homeless in the state.
“It is the tradition of the APC national leader to show sympathy to people affected by disasters or unfortunate incidents,” the statement said.
The presidential hopeful is expected to land at Dutse airport and proceed to Government House for a courtesy call on the governor.
