The Federal Government has raised an alert that 21 local government areas in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory are at risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja, stating that some states have already experienced flooding and associated disasters since April.
According to the Minister, the affected states include Anambra, Edo, Benue, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Yobe. He noted that most flood incidents were flash/urban floods caused by high rainfall intensity and poor drainage systems.
Utsev urged states and local governments to take necessary measures to prevent flooding, including clearing blocked drainage systems and relocating people living along waterways. He also advised states to desilt river channels and canals, construct buffer dams and detention basins, and modify settlements to withstand floods.
The Minister’s warning comes after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicted that 148 LGAs in 31 states would experience high flood risk, while 249 LGAs would face moderate flood risk. The agency had earlier released the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which showed that many parts of the country would experience flooding this year.
The Federal Government has assured that it is monitoring the situation and working with states and local governments to mitigate the impact of flooding. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also been alerted and is working with states to prepare for potential floods.
The public has been advised to take necessary precautions and heed warnings from authorities to avoid losses and damages.
