Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Lokoja, where the Niger and Benue rivers meet

Heavy seasonal rains are a regular feature of life in Nigeria and towns close to the country's main rivers are particularly vulnerable.

This year floods have killed almost 200 people with many thousands displaced.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) say these figures are likely to rise as the full impact becomes clear.

A state of emergency has been declared in four of the worst-hit states:

Niger

Kogi

Anambra

Delta

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged $8.2m (£6.2m) for relief efforts. The NEMA has activated five local operation centres to coordinate emergency responses.

Flooding regularly wreaks havoc in Nigeria:

In 2017, floods affected 250,000 people in the eastern-central region

In 2016, 92,000 were displaced and 38 died

In 2015, more than 100,000 were displaced, with 53 deaths

In 2012, devastating flooding forced two million Nigerians from their homes and 363 died, according to authorities

"Floods have become a perennial challenge with increasing intensity each year, leaving colossal losses and trauma," the Nigerian Meteorological Agency says.

So why does Nigeria keep flooding, and is it getting worse?

Affected areas

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Flooding near Kaduna River

Nigeria hosts two of West Africa's great rivers:

the Niger which enters the country from the north-west

the Benue, which flows into Nigeria from its eastern neighbour Cameroon

These two immense waterways meet in central Nigeria and then flow south as a single river on to the Atlantic Ocean.

Much, though by no means all, of Nigeria's flooding occurs along these two rivers as their banks overflow in the rainy season.

In 2012, hundreds of thousands of acres of land were flooded in Nigeria when the Benue and Niger over-spilled.

That year, the Niger River reached a record-high level of 12.84m (42ft).

In 2018, levels reached 11.06m, with fears that the heavy rain, expected to continue through October this year, could lead it to approach similar heights.

There has also been extensive damage to farmlands, according ACAPS, a humanitarian data-analysis organisation, which is the mainstay of most livelihoods in the affected regions.

Flooding is also caused by:

the tidal movements of coastal waters, such as in the Delta region of the south-east

saturated drainage systems, such as in the country's largest city, Lagos, in the south-west

Are Nigeria's rains causing the floods?

Heavy rainfall has certainly increased the likelihood of rivers overflowing and flash floods.

And there's evidence to suggest increasing rainfall over time.

Data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency from 1981-2017, analysing 13 affected locations, reveals a rising trend in annual rainfall, which it says is likely to be a significant factor responsible for floods.

But it's not just rain falling in Nigeria itself.

Heavy precipitation upstream on the Benue and Niger rivers - in Cameroon, Mali and the country of Niger - contributes large volumes of water to Nigeria's river system, according to Zahrah Musa at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

Troublesome dams

Another factor in Nigeria's flood problem is dams.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Kainji dam

Nigeria's three main electricity-generating dams, at Kainji and Jebba on the Niger river and the Shiroro dam on the Kaduna River, "have become bloated" by the heavy rains and excess water has had to be released downstream over the past month, says Hussaini Ibrahim, of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

The uncompleted Zungeru dam, in Niger state, which is part-funded by the Chinese government, is also believed to be affecting areas once free from flooding.

On the Benue River, the main concern is the Lagdo Dam, in neighbouring Cameroon, which has previously caused the river to swell by releasing water.

In 2012, water flowing in from the Lagdo dam was blamed for 30 deaths in Nigeria.

The Cameroonian authorities have yet to allow water to pour out from Lagdo during the current rainy season - but there are concerns in Nigeria that this might happen.

Poor town planning

Nigeria's population is expanding rapidly, currently estimated at 186 million, and the lack of proper town planning can make flooding worse in urban areas.

"Town planning in Nigeria is very weak," says Aliyu Salisu Barau, of Bayero University. "These areas are affected by a lack of drainage networks."

The city of Lokoja, for example, at the meeting-point of Benue and Niger rivers, is particularly prone to flooding.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption A man in a town near Lokoja, a heavily flooded area

"If you go to Lokoja, you see massive developments along the Niger River," says Mr Barau.

These developments are almost always unregulated, with people building on floodplains, reducing the surface areas for water to travel, and without constructing drainage systems.

Because of the unregulated nature of town planning, there's also limited information on how much land has been built on and therefore little assessment of the impact.

In the city of Makurdi, for example, on the Benue river, Mr Barau says, "one can see all forms of informal activities" along the river bank.

New land developments along the Niger River has more than doubled in Nassarwa and Kogi States, according to estimates.

The dumping of waste in the streets can also prevent the steady flow of water and put pressure on the few urban drainage systems.

It's also common, after the floods, for people to come back and start rebuilding in the same vulnerable areas.

Hussaini Ibrahim, of the NSEMA, also points the finger at deforestation, which he says is happening across Nigeria.

It's a resource that people use for fuel or to sell - but trees play an important role in storing rain-waters.

Future floods

If the impact of flooding is to be reduced in the future, the consequences of rapid urbanisation and poor urban planning need to be addressed.

And greater co-operation with Nigeria's neighbours in the control of river levels will need to be achieved in order to avoid dangerous surges in water levels during the periods of heavy rain.

The wider issue of the increasing rainfall levels identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency is one that some in Nigeria have attributed to climate change.

Read more from Reality Check

Send us your questions

Follow us on Twitter</s>By The Associated Press

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities say 100 people have died in flooding after heavy rains in recent days.

A National Emergency Management Agency spokesman tells The Associated Press that the deaths have occurred in 10 states and that the toll could rise.

The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency say rising water levels will be higher than those recorded in 2012, when flooding killed 363 people and displaced over 2.1 million.

The agencies have warned that 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states will be seriously affected by severe flooding.

Some of the worst affected areas are along the Niger River. Its water level is expected to rise substantially if water is released from the Lagbo dam in Cameroon as Nigerian authorities anticipate.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>Since the publication of ACAPS Nigeria Floods Briefing Note on 21 September, river levels in most of the 12 affected states remain high due to flooding, which has affected 441,251 people, and displaced 141,369 people between late August and 24 September. A total of 108 deaths and 192 injuries have been reported as of late August. Rainfall is expected to continue for the next week. Rivers and Bayelsa states are estimated to be amongst the worst affected states where water levels continue to rise. Initial assessments indicate that 13,031 homes were damaged or destroyed across all affected states as of late August. Shelter, food, NFIs and medical assistance continue to be key needs for the affected population

Since the publication of ACAPS Nigeria Floods Briefing Note on 21 September, widespread flooding due to ongoing rainfall has affected 441,250 people and displaced 141,400 people in Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Rivers, and Taraba states since late August (NEMA 24/09/2018; ERCC; 24/09/2018).

As of 24 September, flooding across 12 states and 50 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in central and southern Nigeria has caused 108 deaths and 192 injuries (NEMA 24/09/2018). Across all affected states, there is an urgent need for shelter, with around 13,000 houses damaged (NEMA 24/09/2018). The affected population has lost household and personal belongings. The floods have caused considerable damage to agricultural land across Nigeria, with 122,653 hectares of agricultural land destroyed. In addition to shelter, there is an urgent need for food, NFIs and medicine (NEMA 24/09/2018). The flooding is widespread and situation is rapidly evolving. As assessments are ongoing, the number of the affected people is expected to further increase.

Initial assessments indicate that Rivers and Bayelsa are amongst the most affected states. Water levels continue to rise in Rivers and Bayelsa. As of 24 September, water levels in lower Benue state have subsided to 10m, compared to 11m on 21 September.

The Niger River at Lokoja city, Kogi state, has not receded, as it recorded water levels of 11.05m on 24 September (NEMA 24/09/2018). Light to moderate rainfall is expected to continue until early October.

Shelter: Flooding has displaced around 141,400 people across the 12 affected states, of which 80,600 people are estimated to be living with friends and family (NEMA 24/09/2018). Over 13,000 houses have been partially or totally damaged. IDPs have relocated to emergency shelters, such as LGA offices, schools, stadiums and churches.

Some of the affected population is staying in IDP camps that have been recently constructed by the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (NEMA 21/09/2018). As assessments are ongoing, and water levels continue to rise in Rivers and Bayelsa states, the amount of houses damaged, which are typically built with mud and thatch roods, is likely to increase (IFCR 23/09/2018). The affected population are in urgent need of shelter support and NFIs, such as blankets, mats, hygiene kits and kitchen sets (IFCR 23/09/2018).

Livelihood: New estimates indicate that 122,653 hectares of agricultural land have been flooded across central and southern Nigeria. Crops were destroyed before the harvesting season begins in October (NYTimes 17/08/2018). This makes the affected population more vulnerable to food insecurity, and negatively impacts the livelihoods of farmers. Flooding is also likely to affect other livelihoods, such as fishers and petty traders.

Food: There continues to be an urgent need for food assistance for IDPs across all affected states. Severe flood damage to agricultural crops means there is a risk that some communities will experience increased food insecurity throughout the harvest season. (Daily Trust 20/09/2018). There are still no reports on whether markets that have been flooded and closed. Transportation of food is likely to be severely restricted because main roads have been flooded.

Health: Since the publication of the briefing note on 21 September, 192 injuries have been reported since late August. Flood affected victims are likely to be in urgent medical care, as result of injuries and the risk of outbreaks made worse due to the extensive flooding. Health care support is particularly needed in IDP camps (IFCR 23/09/2018).

The risk that diarrhoea and cholera will spread remains high, as water levels continue to rise in Rivers and Bayelsa, and have mostly not subsided in other communities.

Particularly in more populated areas, and overcrowded IDP camps where WASH facilities are inadequate, there continues to be a high concern for cholera to spread further. There have been reports of an increase in diarrhoea cases in four of the flood affected states (IFCR 23/09/2018). There is a lack of geographical information and data indicating which states are affected by the spike in diarrhoea cases. 27,927 cases of suspected cholera were reported between 1 January and 10 September countrywide (NCDC 10/09/2018). Between 1 January and 10 September, suspected cholera cases were reported in the flood affected states of Adamawa (2,002), Anambra (23), Bayelsa (no data), Benue (no data), Delta (no data), Edo (no data), Kebbi (198), Kogi (102), Kwara (no data), Niger (547), Rivers (no data), and Taraba (no data). (NCDC 10/09/2018). In Adamawa, an increase of 119 suspected cholera cases was observed between 17-23 September, most likely due to flooding facilitating the spread (Adamawa State Ministry of Health 23/09/2018)

As flooding has not receded, the escalation of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue and-or West Nile fever remains a concern (WHO 2018). The Government recently confirmed that the malaria cases have increased due to the floods (IFCR 23/09/2018).

The current malaria incidence in Nigeria is 380.8/1,000 (2015) (PMI 2017). A distribution of mosquito nets for the flood affected population has been identified as a key priority (NEMA 24-09-2018 NaijaNews 18/09/2018).

Since the publication of ACAPS Nigeria Floods Briefing Note on 21 September, there have been additional reports in local media sources that indicate antenatal care for pregnant women remains a key concern. This was reported in Uzanu community, Estako East LGA, Edo state and in Ogbaru, Amambra.

There is a need for psychosocial support, as flood victims have lost or been separated from their loved ones (IFCR 23/09/2018).

WASH: The displaced population is still staying in emergency shelters, such LGA offices, stadiums, schools and churches, which have inadequate sanitation facilities and are in urgent need of safe water. In most of the affected states, water sources have been contaminated by flooding (IFCR 23/09/2018). There is a lack of data on the potential amount of damaged water points.

Education: Schools continue to be used as evacuation centres across all affected states. On 18 September, primary and secondary schools were closed in Ogbaru, Southern Anambra state as a safety measure, following floods that displaced more than 1,1000 people (OCHA 24/09/2018). Considering the ongoing flooding, it is likely that many schools have been damaged by flooding (Premium Times 19/09/2018).

Protection: While there is no disaggregated data available on the amount of women and girls affected by the floods, it is likely that this group is disproportionately affected.

Women and girls that are displaced and staying in IDP camps continue to be at increased risk to gender-based violence. Overcrowding at IDP camps, with a lack of privacy and inadequate toilets and washing facilities, increases the risks and vulnerability of women and girls to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse (UNHCR 12/2017; OCHA 2016).

Since the start of the rainy season, in June, main roads have been flooded and bridges collapsed (Vanguard 15/09/2018). As water levels have not subsided and heavy rainfall is expected to continue until the beginning of October, main roads continue to be flooded across all affected states.

Power and telecommunications are affected in some of the flood-affected states. The Okpai Gas Independent Power Plant in Ndokwa East Council, Delta State, with power supply to Aso Villa, Abuja has been flooded (TheGuardian 25/09/2018). Communities in Kdokwa West and Ukwuani councils are also affected by the power cut.

Some LGA offices in affected are also likely to be impacted, as they are being used as emergency shelters for the flood affected population.</s>Nearly 200 people have died in flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains across 12 states in Nigeria.

 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Thursday that 199 people were killed after the main Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks.

 

A national disaster was declared in several central and southern states.

The United Nations last week said there had been more than 3,000 recorded cases of cholera and 97 deaths in the northeastern Nigerian states of Borno and Yobe in the past two weeks alone.

 

NEMA said in its latest update that "large-scale flooding" since late last month made more than 286,000 people homeless.

 

Numbers were expected to rise and more rain is expected in the coming weeks, it added.

 

Shelter, food, medicine and other items such as mosquito nets were "priority needs", the report said.

Flooding has not only devastated towns and villages along the rivers but also destroyed crops and killed livestock, said Abubakar Kendehe, secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross.

"One of our biggest concerns following extensive floods like this is the threat of cholera and other diseases," Kendehe warned.

Lack of sanitation, healthcare and clean water "could have deadly consequences" and add to the nearly 28,000 suspected cases of cholera reported across Nigeria since January, he said.

In the wider Lake Chad region - comprising Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon - more than 500 people have died from the water-borne disease since the start of the year.

Northeast Nigeria has also been the epicentre of Boko Haram's attacks, which have killed more than 20,000 people since 2009.

Some 1.8 million are still homeless there, many living in makeshift camps as a result of the conflict.</s>LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities say the death toll from large-scale flooding in recent weeks has jumped to nearly 200 people.

The National Emergency Management Agency said Thursday the toll is up from the 100 reported last week. It says more than 1,000 other people have been injured, with more than 800,000 affected overall since late August.

The agency says those numbers are expected to rise.

A national disaster has been declared in four of Nigeria’s 36 states after heavy rains.

A similar disaster in 2012 killed 363 people and displaced over 2.1 million. The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency and Nigerian Meteorological Agency have said water levels will be higher this time.

Some of the most badly affected areas are along the Niger River.</s>Nearly 200 people have died in flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains across 12 states in Nigeria, the country’s main relief agency said on Thursday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 199 people had lost their lives after the main Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks.

A national disaster has been declared in the central states of Kogi, where the two rivers meet, and Niger, plus Delta and Anambra in the south.

NEMA said in its latest update that “large-scale flooding” since late last month “impacted 826,403 people”. Of those, 286,119 had been made homeless.

Numbers were expected to rise and more rain is expected in the coming weeks, it added.

Shelter, food, medicine and other items such as mosquito nets were “priority needs”, the report said.

The flooding has not only devastated towns and villages along the rivers but also destroyed crops and killed livestock, said the secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Abubakar Kende.

But he warned: “One of our biggest concerns following extensive floods like this is the threat of cholera and other diseases.”

Lack of sanitation, healthcare and clean water “could have deadly consequences” and add to the nearly 28,000 suspected cases of cholera reported across Nigeria since January, he said.

The United Nations last weekend said there had been more than 3,000 recorded cases of cholera and 97 deaths in the northeast Nigerian states of Borno and Yobe in the past two weeks alone.

In the wider Lake Chad region comprising Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, more than 500 people have died from the water-borne disease since the start of the year.

Northeast Nigeria has also been the epicentre of Boko Haram’s Islamist insurgency, which has left more than 27,000 people dead since 2009.

Some 1.8 million are still homeless, with many of them living in makeshift camps as a result of the conflict.</s>Nearly 200 people have died in flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains across 12 states in Nigeria, the country's main relief agency said on Thursday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 199 people had lost their lives after the main Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks.

A national disaster has been declared in the central states of Kogi, where the two rivers meet, and Niger, plus Delta and Anambra in the south.

NEMA said in its latest update that "large-scale flooding" since late last month "impacted 826,403 people". Of those, 286,119 had been made homeless.

Numbers were expected to rise and more rain is expected in the coming weeks, it added.

Shelter, food, medicine and other items such as mosquito nets were "priority needs", the report said.

The flooding has not only devastated towns and villages along the rivers but also destroyed crops and killed livestock, said the secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Abubakar Kende.</s>Nigeria internet data report released by the Nigerian Communications …Read more via Vanguard Nigeria Newspaper – https://ift.tt/2QZHkjN Get More Nigeria Metro News</s>Nigeria’s D’Tigress at the ongoing FIBA Women Basketball World Cup Nigeria’s D’Tigress yesterday continued …read more via The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper– https://ift.tt/2Ije6sb Get More Nigeria Sports News</s>The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) informs that heavy rains across the country caused the Niger River and Benue River to overflow. According to the NEMA’s latest report (24/09/2018) 12 states are being affected by floods, 4 states are declared under National Disaster (Niger, Kogi, Anambra and Delta), 441 251 people are affected and 108 casualties are reported so far.

Light to moderate precipitation is predicted in the coming days with amounts ranging mostly up to 40mm in 72 hours which is not uncommon for Nigeria at this time of the year. According to the hydrological observations river levels are already very high in the Niger River and are within normal ranges in the main Benue River. It is likely that river levels in the Niger remain high or even increase further caused by the high inflow coming from the upper part of the Niger and the subsequent increase in water release from the Kainji and Jebba dams both located on the Niger.

The situation could worsen significantly if the Lagdo dam (located in the upstream part of Benue River in Cameroon) reaches its maximum retention capacity and would be forced to increase its water release. However, according to the latest information the Lagdo dam will not reach its maximum retention capacity in the coming weeks.

An impact assessment using a satellite derived flood extent from 13 September for the entire Nigeria indicates that the most affected states are Niger, Kebbi, Kogi, Kano, Taraba and Amadawa, which is mostly in line with official reports and media information.

Given the uncertainties especially with regard to a potential water release from the Lagdo dam it is currently not possible to make precise predictions on the future impact of the floods. In the case of a water release of the Lagdo dam the worst hit areas would be located below the confluence of the two rivers Niger and Benue and would especially affect the Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Adamawa states. An estimation of the potential consequences of a water release from the Lagdo dam is ongoing and will be published in an update of this report.
The death toll of the floods that affected Nigeria this month rise to 200.