…148 LGAs to be overrun
The Federal Government has issued a warning, claiming that 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), will probably be severely affected, and that river flooding will start by the end of July.
The Government also warned that continual flooding might also escalate the cholera presently ravaging some States.
Speaking to newsmen yestetday about the nations flood situation, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev,
said as from the end of July, the country might start experiencing river-flooding, which might be more devastating. He stated that since May, the nation has been dealing with flash floods and urban floods caused by prolonged high rainfall intensities and inadequate and clogged urban drainage systems.
Utsev said states had been alerted following recent reports highlighted in the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook as unveiled by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The ‘NIHSAs 2024 Annual Flood Outlook” had revealed that 148 local government areas (LGAs) across 31 States are at high risk of flooding. The affected States include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi. Others are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.
He said State governors had been provided detailed forecasts and preventative measures specific to their regions. According to him, significant flood risks have been identified in 148 local government areas across 31 States, including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Anambra.
The Minister further said Nigeria should be ready for flooding situations whenever the upper catchment of the River Niger Basin floods because the country is situated at the lowest point in the basin.
Regarding the Lagdo Dam situation in Cameroon, the Minister stated that the operators had notified the country that they were filling the dam to produce hydropower. He also added that the flow situation at Wuroboki is normal and there is no need for concern.
Utsev explained that plans were almost rounding off to erect buffer barriers along the water channel to contain water from the dam as part of the federal governments efforts to lessen the annual floods caused by water flow from the Lagdo dam.
The Minister warned that increasing flooding may worsen the already-ravaging cholera outbreak, adding that a Presidential Committee has been set up to see how the outbreak can be tackled. He added that another element contributing to cholera is open defecation, which the committee are reviewing.
The Minister urged the State, local governments, and other stakeholders to take action to stop the ugly flooding threat that has been present in recent years.
