Nigeria triggers national response plan for annual deadly floods; 14 states on alert

By CHINEDU ASADU
Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Nigeria say they have activated a national response plan for another round of deadly floods blamed mainly on climate change and infrastructure problems. The West African nation’s National Emergency Management Agency said Thursday it has begun to work based on dire forecasts by seeking air support for search and rescue missions while stockpiling relief materials. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency blamed the floods — an annual occurrence in the country — on extreme weather conditions worsened by human activities. A new flood alert warned 14 states to take precautionary measures ahead of what’s forecast to be heavy rainfall.