The UN reports that over 100,000 people have been directly affected by flash floods in Adamawa State of northeastern Nigeria, including the state capital Yola.
Flooding began in the state in early August 2021. Dozens of houses were damaged or destroyed in Shelleng Local Government Area (LGA) around 11 August 2021.
The situation continued and local media, quoting Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said from 11 August to 26 August, 7 people died and 74,713 people were displaced by floods across 79 Villages in 16 local government areas of the state. Hardest hit areas were Demsa (8,332 affected), Yola South (7,551), Lamurde (7,725), Yola North (6,235), Girei (6,351) and Maiha (2 deaths).
Since then flooding has affected over 100,000 people in Adamawa State, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA). OCHA said varying levels of destruction to homes and property were reported with populations temporarily displaced and forced to take shelter in nearby locations until floodwaters receded.
The State and National Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA and NEMA) reiterated a warning to populations across riverine communities to temporarily relocate to higher grounds in line with the flooding alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), listing several communities in Adamawa State amongst high-risk locations.
The UN warned of an increased risk of cholera in the region. “The recent flooding incidents (which typically contaminate water sources) raised concerns about a possible spike in AWD/cholera cases over the coming weeks. OCHA is following up with SEMA and NEMA to collate information on the potential impacts of the incidents to inform appropriate response by humanitarian partners,” OCHA said.
The number of suspected cholera cases continued to climb across 6 LGAs of Yola North, Yola South, Shelleng, Gombi, Girei and Fufore. As of 7 September, 169 cases and 7 fatalities had been reported.
