The Federal Government has declared over 500 Nigerians dead and 1,411,051 affected as a result of recent flood disasters across the country.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, declared this in Abuja yesterday while giving updates on the recent flood incidents.

He said 31 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory were affected.

He also stated that 146,734 hectares of farmlands were destroyed and 89,348 houses damaged.

He said: “Over 500 people are reported dead. 1,411,051 persons have been affected. The displaced persons that have moved out of their locations are up to 790,254.

“About 1,546 persons that were displaced are injured.

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“Furthermore, 44,099 houses are partially damaged; 45,249 houses were totally damaged and 76,168 hectares of farmland are partially damaged; while 70,566 hectares of farmland are completely damaged.”

The permanent secretary noted that with many communities already affected, there was still a prediction that many more communities might be affected, especially along the line of the River Benue, River Niger “and down to the ocean.”

Sani-Gwarzo said the states were informed of the flood predictions.

“The prediction and mapping have reached a level where we could pinpoint specific states, LGAs and communities and because disaster management is on the concurrent list, states and LGAs affected have been formally written to ahead of the impact.

“Meetings have been held between Mr. President and the governors and the minister has attended meetings with the governors to tell them about the specific communities and villages.

“I have all the exhibits of letters that have been sent to those states telling them that the rainfall will be on the high side. So, all the predictions increased and the communities were communicated through their governors.

“Beyond predictions, we proffered solutions and many states know what to do. So, a good portion of the response is at the state level.”

The permanent secretary said the federal government was taking every necessary action to bring relief to those affected.

He said: “NEMA has so provided relief support to over 315,000 displaced persons across the flood disaster hotspots where state capacities have been overwhelmed.

“We are very much aware of what is happening and we are prepared to reduce the impact and also to make sure that places that have not been affected get some relief.

“The impact of the flood will be reduced to a minimum and more lives will be saved and we seek public support in ensuring that the damage is not further worsened.”