TheCable

Mustapha Ahmed, director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says more than 300 LGAs are at high risk of flood between April and November 2023. 

Ahmed spoke while presenting the climate-related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies document in Abuja on Thursday.

He said while FCT, Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe were likely to observe below-average rainfall while states such as Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, and Cross River were expected to record rainfall amounts of 2700 mm and above.

He said following the 2023 annual flood outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 66 local government areas are at high risk of flooding in the months of April to June.

Ahmed also said another 148 LGAs would be at high risk of flooding in the months of July to September, while 100 others in the months of October and November would encounter the same.

“In addition, a total of 41 LGAs fall within the moderate flood risk areas in the months of April to June; 199 LGAs in the months of July to September, and 72 LGAs in the months of October and November,” he said.

“This year’s forecast has indicated that there is a high risk of coastal flooding due to the expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements, and transportation in Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers states.

“Flash and urban floods are also forecasted over many cities and towns due to poor drainage system and the lack of compliance to town planning and environmental regulations.”

According to Ahmed, the year may witness floods similar to what occurred last year, if not more based on the forecast.

He said the agency has written letters to the 36 state governments and the FCT administration to notify them of the LGAs that are at risk and actions to be taken.

He advised Nigerians to have an attitudinal change toward disaster risk reduction and take all advisories released by relevant authorities seriously.