Federal Government Reports Flooding In 21 LGAs Across 10 States And FCT

Federal Government Reports Flooding In 21 LGAs Across 10 States And FCT....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

ABUJA – The Federal Government has announced that 21 local government areas (LGAs) across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently inundated by floodwaters due to heavy rainfall in recent days.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utserv, along with the Minister of State for Water Resource and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, and the Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services, NIHSA, briefed the press in Abuja, providing insights into the flood situation.

According to Engr Joseph Utserv, the flooding has been predominantly caused by flash and urban floods, exacerbated by prolonged and intense rainfall coupled with inadequate drainage systems in urban areas.

Earlier in April 2024, the NIHSA had issued the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which highlighted 148 LGAs in 31 states at high flood risk, 249 LGAs at moderate risk, and 377 LGAs at low risk.

The states identified as high flood risk areas include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.

Engr Utserv highlighted specific incidents, including recent flooding in the FCT’s Trade More Estate in Lugbe resulting in casualties and property damage. He noted affected LGAs such as AMAC, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Kwali within the FCT.

He emphasized that as rainfall increases, especially in southern Nigeria, flooding levels may escalate, further complicating ongoing efforts to combat a cholera outbreak, which has already claimed 63 lives and affected 2,102 people according to the NCDC’s latest data.

Engr Utserv also outlined forthcoming challenges, predicting river flooding from July 2024 onwards affecting 19 states, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba, and the FCT.

He underscored Nigeria’s location within the River Niger Basin, surrounded by nine countries, and stressed the potential impact of upstream flooding on downstream states like Nigeria.

In conclusion, Engr Utserv urged proactive measures such as clearing blocked drainage systems, relocating residents from flood-prone areas, and enhancing infrastructure resilience against floods. He called for collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local governments to mitigate the impact of the impending flood season.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) identified 11 LGAs in Anambra State at high and moderate risk of flooding in 2024, urging stakeholders to implement preventive strategies to safeguard lives and property.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State expressed appreciation for NEMA’s proactive approach, emphasizing the importance of constructing additional dams along major rivers to minimize flood risks in riverine communities.

Dr Daniel Obot, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction at NEMA, presented flood prediction strategies and underscored the necessity of community involvement in disaster management to ensure uninterrupted socio-economic activities.

The briefing concluded with a call for coordinated efforts to address the impending flood challenges, underscoring the imperative of timely action to protect vulnerable communities nationwide.