The 2017 Benue State flooding took place in September 2017 in Benue State, Nigeria.[1] It displaced at least 100,000 people,[2][3] and damaged more than 2,000 homes.[4]
 Map of Nigeria | |
| Date | September 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | Benue State, Nigeria |
| Cause | Long-term rainfall leading to flash floods and river overflowing |
| Property damage | 2,000+ houses destroyed |
Causes
editWeeks of rainfall led to flash floods, discharges and river overflowing in Benue State in north-central Nigeria. 21 out of 23 local government areas in Benue are affected.[5] Flooding in the area is common due to heavy rains and the Benue River flowing through the area.
Effects on climate change
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The flooding was similar to the severe one in 2012. The flood submerged two major bridges on River Guma at Tor Kpande and Mande Ortom. Farmlands and food barns were also destroyed in the affected communities. The newly constructed Daudu-Gbajimba, and University of Agriculture Makurdi roads, were not spared as they became impassable after several portions of the roads were washed away by the rising flood waters.[6] Agriculture in Benue faces several challenges which threaten the future of agriculture. Rainfall intensity seemed to be increasing with a gradual reduction. The average discharge at Makurdi hydrological station was 3468.24 m3s⁻¹, and the highest peak flow discharge was 16,400 m3s⁻¹. The daily maximum temperature and annual average temperature are gradually rising, leading to increased heat. Analysis showed that the soils are moderately fertile but require the effective application of inorganic and organic fertilisers. The main occupational activities in the area are based on agriculture. [7]
Flooding in Benue 2024
editOn May 7, 2024, there was a flooding incident in Makurdi, Benue State, that affected various communities and vacuated many people. The flood overwhelmed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, causing damages to buildings, infrastructure, and agriculture.[8]
- Affected areas include Kighir, Idye-Nenger, Zone 4, Wurukum, Wadata, Akpehe, Madonna, Judges Quarters, Gyado-Valla, and Achusa communities.
- The number of people affected has been estimated to be around 2,000.
References
edit- ^ "More than 100,000 displaced by flooding in central Nigeria". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
- ^ "Nigeria – Thousands Displaced by Floods in Benue State – FloodList". floodlist.com. Copernicus. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ Al Jazeera (1 September 2017). "Nigeria floods displace more than 100,000 people". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "Flood Hits Makurdi, Ravages Over 2,000 Homes • Channels Television". Channels Television. 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "West and Central Africa: 2017 flood impact". Reliefweb 18 Oct 2017.
- ^ "Benue flood: Gov Ortom raises the alarm". Vanguard. October 14, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Abah, Roland Clement; et al. (December 2016). "Assessment of potential impacts of climate change on agricultural development in the Lower Benue River". National library of Medicine.
- ^ "IFRC GO". go.ifrc.org. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
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