Nigeria has declared a national disaster after severe flooding left about 100 people dead across 10 states, the country's main relief agency said on Tuesday.

Heavy seasonal rains have caused the Niger and Benue rivers to burst their banks, inundating communities, farms and trapping tens of thousands of people in their homes.

Sani Datti, from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told AFP: "We have declared a national disaster in four states -- Kogi, Delta, Anambra and Niger.

"Eight other states are on the watch list. All these states have been the worst hit by the flooding. About 100 people have lost their lives in 10 states."

Kogi and Niger are in central Nigeria while Delta and Anambra are in the south.

The Kogi state capital, Lokoja, lies at the confluence of both rivers and has been virtually submerged because of the rising waters.

NEMA said water levels on Monday were continuing to rise in Lokoja and had reached 11.06 metres (36 feet) -- approaching those of similar devastating flooding in 2012.

Then, hundreds of people died and about two million others were left homeless in 30 of Nigeria's 36 states.

More rains are forecast on Tuesday, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday he had approved the release of three billion naira ($8.3 million, 7.1 million euros) to buy medical and relief materials.

Flooding along the rivers is a frequent occurrence during the annual rains, which fall from May to September.

Datti said military personnel and equipment had been seconded to help the relief effort, as well as the evacuation of trapped residents from their homes.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Floodwaters rise as killer storm stalks southeastern US
Grifton, United States (AFP) Sept 17, 2018
Catastrophic floods raised the threat of dam breaks and landslides across the southeastern United States on Sunday, prolonging the agony caused by a killer hurricane that has left more than a dozen people dead and billions of dollars in damage. Downgraded to a tropical depression, Florence slowly crawled over South and North Carolina, dumping heavy rains on already flood-swollen river basins that authorities warned could bring more death and destruction. "A lot of people have evacuated already," ... read more