Cross River, Nasarawa, Kaduna… FG forecasts five-day rainfall, flood in 19 states

The federal government has issued a flood alert in 19 states and 76 locations.

The states are expected to experience heavy rainfall from August 5 to 9.

The warning, issued on Tuesday by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the federal ministry of environment, urged residents and relevant authorities to take urgent precautionary measures.

According to the flood outlook, the rainfall is expected to trigger flash and riverine flooding in parts of Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Cross River, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, and Gombe states.

The affected communities include Eket, Oron, Tafawa-Balewa, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Keana, Gboko, Zaria, Daura, Birnin-Kebbi, Gwandu, Wudil, Kontagora, Mangu, Takum, Gumel, Potiskum, Anka, and Bajoga.

Flooding has become a seasonal emergency across Nigeria, often leading to loss of lives, displacement, and damage to farmlands and infrastructure.

The alert comes amid recent floods in parts of Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Gombe and Delta states.

Last week, the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the disbursement of intervention funds to relevant agencies to cushion the impact of floods.

The council allocated N3 billion each to the 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

NEC approved N1.5 billion each for the ministries of budget and national planning, environment, and water resources and sanitation.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also received the sum of N10 billion.