Nigeria Floods kill Dozens, Wash Hippos and Crocodiles Into Homes- CNN

Ravaging floods killed dozens in Nigeria
and displaced tens of thousands of residents as
crocodiles, hippos and other water animals
washed into homes.
The floods have left 148 people dead and affected
21 of the nation's three dozens states, according
to the local Red Cross.
"Torrential downpours in recent weeks have
caused widespread destruction and forced many
families into makeshift camps," the aid agency
said on its website. "An estimated 134,000
people have now been affected by the floods and
concern is growing about the spread of
waterborne diseases."
The floods have affected a series of states,
including Bayelsa and Benue.
In Bayelsa state, an official said the area's terrain
has intensified the effects of the downpour.
"It is like Florida ... swampy with a lot of sea water
mixed with fresh water because we are close to
rivers and the Atlantic (ocean)," said Tam
Alazigha, the chief economic adviser for the state.
"A lot of people have been displaced. Snakes,
crocodiles and hippos have been displaced and
are ending up in people's homes. Everyone has
been displaced."
Alazigha said more rain is forecast and authorities
are evacuating residents to shelters that have
been set up in schools located on higher ground.
"The bad part is ... there is no relief yet," he said.
State officials are working to enhance drainage
around the buldging rivers, according to the
adviser.
"Our main goals are to help settle the displaced
people and improve on the drainage," he said.
"Our hope is that when the drainage gets better
and the waters subside, we can deploy more
resources to see how much we can save."
Alazigha said the amount of rain was unexpected.
"It took us by surprise," he said. "We need help
from those agencies that are out there that
usually help out in situations like these. All hands
are on deck, but it is quite a challenge."
In the state of Benue, more than 25, 000 people
were displaced after a local river overflowed, the
National Emergency Management Agency said.
Nigeria's rainy season occurs between May and
October. Torrential rains are especially hard on
communities in rural areas, where drainage is
inadequate or nonexistent.
Last month, authorities urged residents living
along River Niger to move to higher ground. The
evacuation order affected the states of Niger,
Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Anambra and Delta.