Nigeria: Heavy rainfall causes flooding nationwide on June 16

Event

As of Wednesday, June 17, heavy rainfall has been reported throughout Nigeria for several days, causing severe flooding. Casualties and damage have been reported, with the worst affected states being Akwa Ibom and Kwara. In Kwara, local media reported the collapse of a bridge in Oko-Erin on Saturday, June 13, causing the death of four individuals. A nine-hour-long downpour in Akwa Ibom on Sunday, June 14, resulted in severe flooding, displacing 300 people and destroying over 100 homes in the Eket Local Government Area. The latest rainfall follows flooding in Borno State last week, where 700 shelters were destroyed in Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps, with 24 people injured.

Further rainfall is expected throughout Nigeria in the coming days.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate continuing disruptions, and never drive or walk through flooded streets. Floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products and present residual health hazards.