Floods in Nigeria in 2022 which has already resulted in the death of hundreds of people
Nigeria's worst flooding since 2012 killed over 600 people, displaced 1.4 million, and destroyed tens of thousands of homes across the country.
Key Facts
- Deaths
- Over 603 people
- Displaced
- Over 1.4 million people
- Injured
- More than 2,400 people
- Houses damaged
- About 82,035 houses
- Land affected
- 332,327 hectares
- Niger River boat capsizing
- 76 deaths on 7 October
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The floods resulted from heavy rainfall intensified by climate change, combined with the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon beginning on 13 September 2022. These factors overwhelmed drainage and river systems across Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad basin region.
Beginning in early summer 2022 and lasting through October, severe flooding struck large parts of Nigeria as well as Niger and Chad. The disaster was the worst Nigeria had experienced since the 2012 floods, affecting hundreds of communities, farmland, and infrastructure across the country.
More than 1.4 million people were displaced and over 200,000 homes were completely or partially destroyed by October. Agricultural land totalling 332,327 hectares was affected, threatening food security, while a single boat capsizing on the Niger River on 7 October claimed 76 additional lives.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 603 (flood)