In Nigeria, hundreds of people have died in floods in 12 of the country's states. One of the worst-affected areas is the north-central state of Niger, where at least 40 people have died. More than a-hundred communities are underwater, leaving thousands displaced and living in emergency camps. As Deji Badmus reports, it may be months before they're able to return home.

If you were looking for evidence of the scale of the flooding in Nigeria's Niger state, then this is it. This whole area used to be people's homes and farms. But everything is now under water. And the only means of navigating through is by boat. The situation has remained like this for weeks now; the water not receding. This is the result of torrential rainfall and the release of water from two flooded dams in the state. In all, 130 communities have been submerged resulting in heavy losses for local residents, who are mainly into fishing and farming.

ABUBAKAR KETSO COMMUNITY LEADER "We woke one morning to find everywhere flooded. All our farms and farm produce were washed away. We have nothing to depend on any more. Most of our houses are submerged. We are tired of this perennial issue of flooding and want the government to come to our aide."

Residents say flooding has been a common occurrence in the area for the past four years but that this year's incident is the worst so far.

"We used to pray for the flood because back then when you go fishing, you could make a catch of between twenty and thirty thousand. But now, there is no fishing."

State authorities say they are now working out a resettlement plan but is itself seeking assistance to address the crisis. This is where most of the residents are now camped. It's a public school close to the state capital, far removed from their communities. It's hardly ideal but it's the best the government could come up with at the moment. And for as long as they stay here, the school will remain shut. But the good news for the affected communities is that the government says the water level is coming down allaying fears of increased flooding.

SULEIMAN ADAMU NIGERIAN WATER RESOURCES MINISTER "Hopefully the worst is over except if there is some unforeseen and unprecedented amount of rainfall, which is very unlikely but not also unlikely to happen. But we think the worst is over and we should be able to see the floodwater receding from now on."

DEJI BADMUS LAGOS, NIGERIA "In all 12 other states have so far been affected and 199 people killed in one of the worst flooding disasters in Nigeria's history. DB, CGTN, LAGOS, NIGERIA."