This special edition of the weekly update spotlights natural disasters in the Niger Delta with a focus on flooding in the region. Many coastal and riverine communities in the Niger Delta are predisposed to recurrent flooding because of low topography. According to data (see map above), flooding caused more than 100 fatalities in the Niger Delta between January 2021 and April 2023. Currently, several communities are submerged. In April 2023, for instance, six persons were reportedly killed, 10-year old boy swept away, and houses and economic trees destroyed as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding in Oko and Okpanam communities in Oshimili South LGA, Delta State. Separately, in April, many houses and business premises were reportedly submerged and human and vehicular movement was obstructed at different locations in Aba North and Aba South LGAs, Abia State. In June, houses and business premises were reportedly submerged in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. More recently, on June 23, 2023, a young man reportedly died after he was swept away by flood in Oba Ile community in Akure North LGA, Ondo State.
Loading...