The crisis also forced more than 1. 3 million people from their homes, according to a statement from Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, posted on Twitter.
“Sadly, more than 603 lives have been lost as of 16 October 2022,” said Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Last week’s toll 500, however, the numbers had risen in part because some state governments were unprepared for flooding, the minister said.
The floods also completely destroyed more than 82,000 homes and nearly 110,000 hectares (272,000 acres) of farmland, Farouq said.
While the rainy season begins around June, the rains have been heavy since August, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.
In 2012, 363 more people died and more than 2. 1 million were displaced by floods.
Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, and many of its economies are already grappling with the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Rice farmers have warned that the devastating floods may have an effect on costs in the country of some two hundred million people, where rice imports are banned to stimulate local production.
The World Food Programme and the U. N. Food and Agriculture Organization said last month that Nigeria is among six countries facing the greatest threat of catastrophic degrees of hunger.