Nigeria is reeling from catastrophic floods that have ravaged 25 states, killing at least 243 people and displacing more than 71,000, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The agency’s flood dashboard, updated through August 20, recorded 228 deaths, but additional reports from Borno and Adamawa in the past 48 hours confirmed at least 15 more fatalities, pushing the toll higher. Overall, nearly 210,000 people have been affected nationwide, with 495 injured and 114 still missing.

The scale of destruction is staggering. At least 76 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been hit, with 21,257 homes destroyed or damaged and 23,481 farmlands inundated. Families have been uprooted, crops wiped out, and livestock lost — fueling fears of a worsening food and shelter crisis.

The demographic breakdown highlights the vulnerability of women and children: of those affected, 97,244 are children, 64,327 are women, 40,030 are men, 8,065 are elderly, and 2,069 are persons with disabilities.

Worst-hit states include Imo, Adamawa, Rivers, Lagos, Taraba, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Borno, and Kaduna. Other states, from Bayelsa to Sokoto, have also been severely impacted, alongside Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Humanitarian agencies, including the Nigerian Red Cross, have mobilized additional teams to deliver emergency relief. Yet, officials warn that limited funding, damaged infrastructure, and challenging terrain are hampering aid delivery.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a $50 million emergency response fund. However, relief officials caution that much more is needed to prevent the crisis from spiraling further.

Experts point to climate change, poor drainage infrastructure, and inadequate early warning systems as key factors behind the devastation. With the rainy season far from over, authorities warn that riverine and low-lying communities remain in grave danger of further flooding.

As Nigeria struggles with the escalating disaster, pressure is mounting on the government to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience to protect its most vulnerable populations from future tragedies. (ILKHA)