FG Alerts 31 Governors About Potential Flooding In Their States

• FG alerts 31 governors about potential flooding in their states from April to November 2024.

• Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency identifies 148 high flood-risk areas across Lagos, Kano, Delta, and other states.

• State governments prepare evacuation plans, demolition of structures, and drainage clearing to mitigate flood impact.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Government has issued notifications to at least 31 governors, alerting them to the likelihood of flooding in their respective states from April to November this year.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, disclosed this while discussing the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook for the nation.

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During the briefing, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, a federal government agency, revealed that a total of 148 local government areas across Lagos, Kano, Delta, and 28 other states have been identified as high flood-risk zones.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the impending floods, several state governments informed Journalists on Tuesday of their plans to demolish structures along river channels, relocate residents, and clear drainage systems to mitigate flooding.

Regarding the overall findings of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook, the Minister of Water Resources highlighted that certain areas in 31 states have been designated as high flood-risk zones, while others in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to experience moderate flooding.

He said, “The 2024 Annual Flood Outlook shows that part of 148 Local Government Areas in 31 states of the federation fall within the high flood-risk areas, while part of 249 LGAs in 36 states of the federation and the FCT fall within the moderate flood-risk areas.

“The high flood-risk states are Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe.”

On the seasonal outlook, Utsev pointed out that the high flood-risk areas would experience the situation between April and November 2024.

“The level of floods in this category is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihoods, livestock and infrastructure, and the environment.

“Part of 72 LGAs across the country fall within the high flood-risk areas in April, May, and June; while part of 135 LGAs in July, August, and September; and part of 44 LGAs in October and November 2024 are within the high flood-risk zones,” he stated.

For the moderate flood risk, he explained that areas in this category would witness moderate flooding between April and November 2024.

“Moderate impact level floods are expected in parts of 63 LGAs within April, May, and June; and in parts of 221 LGAs within July, August, and September; and parts of 100 LGAs within October and November 2024,” Utsev stated.

The minister further noted that flash and urban floods would be experienced in urban city centres across the country.

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“Among these are Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Birnin-Kebbi, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Nguru, Onitsha, Oshogbo, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri and Yola,” Utsev stated.

He said Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo would experience coastal flooding due to the rise in sea level and tidal surge, adding that this would impact fishing, wildlife habitation, and river navigation.

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