Governors from 33 states in Nigeria have agreed to set up an emergency response plan following deadly floods in the northern state of Katsina. And the country is gearing up for more rains and flooding. Kelechi Emekalam has more.

The aftermath of flash floods in Jibia town. Dozens were killed here and many more are still missing. The floods swept more than a thousand homes and close to 2,000 have been left without shelter. Some of them have returned here to salvage what ever they could lay their hand on. They are relocating to a safe place away from the water ways. Their livelihood too have been severely ruined. Hundreds of animals - a key source of income in this community also drowned in the floods.

NURA ABUBAKER ASSISTANT PROTECTION DIRECTOR, KATSINA "The river flooded, the water had come back inside town thereby taking almost one thousand houses, we lost 44 lives, for now, we have not found the remaining, we are still searching, but 21 were buried this morning and we are going to retrieve 23 in another river, in Niger republic."

Floods are common occurrence in Nigeria. The torrential rains have just started and those living in flood-prone areas are bracing for more incidents like this. Previous floods have claimed hundreds of lives and ruined properties worth millions of dollars. That is why governors from all 36 states want a more robust emergency response plan this time.

AMINU BELLO MASARI GOVERNOR, KATSINA STATE "Part of the problem is that some people built up in areas that are prone to floods and I think redirecting and reconstructing the drainage, we must make sure those living in low land areas that are prone to this kind of flooding are relocated to safer ground."

At this primary school where more than a thousand affected are camped, the situation is dire. Sufficient emergency relief is yet to arrive and aid workers fear an outbreak of cholera. Kelechi Emekalam, CGTN, Abuja, Nigeria.