Nigeria – Over 50 Fatalities in Jigawa as Floods Continue

Officials in the state of Jigawa, northern Nigeria, report as many as 50 people have lost their lives in floods triggered by torrential rains.

Severe flooding struck in several Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Jigawa after heavy rain from 01 August 2022. At least 7 people lost their lives as a result.

Flood damage in Jigawa State, Nigeria, August 2022 . Photo: Mustapha Sule Lamido

Heavy rain and flooding has continued to affect areas of the state since then. On 14 August 2022, officials from the Jigawa Emergency Management Agency told local TV stations that 50 people have now lost their lives and thousands of homes have been damaged leaving many displaced.

Eleven temporary camps have been set up in various parts of Jigawa to house hundreds of people forced to leave their homes. Others are taking refuge in public buildings. Among the recently affected areas are Kafin Hausa LGA, where 13 deaths were reported.

Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar, visited the state following the floods. “This incident is particularly sad because it has become perennial. This is causing serious damage to schools, houses, and the livelihood of the people,” Umar said.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency said heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States over the coming days.

Since May this year, FloodList has recorded significant flood events in the states of River State, Ebonyi, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Lagos, Federal Capital Territory and Anambra.

Rainfall warnings northern Nigeria, 14 August 2022. Image: Nigerian Meteorological Agency-NiMet