( 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 . '' Read more : Heavy rains kill 21 in Nigeria . 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 . CNN 's Hamdi Alkhshali contributed to this report .
Floods leave three dozen people dead nationwide , CNN says . three dozen of At least 21 states in the nation are affected . `` All hands are on deck , but it is quite a challenge , '' official says . More rain is forecast in recent weeks .