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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised the alarm that 19 states and 56 communities across the country are likely to witness heavy rainfall that can lead to flooding in the remaining months of the year.
The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, who raised the alarm, listed the states and communities likely to be affected as: Delta: Aboh, Ekiti State; Ado Ekiti, Ondo State; Akure, Idanre, Ifon, Iju Itaogbolu, Ogbese, Owo, Owena, Ondo. Others included Lagos State; Apapa, Badagry, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Ojo Lagos, Surulere; Anambra; Atani; Ogun; Ifo, Ota, Sagamu; Nasarawa State; Lafia, Wamba and Cross River; Ikom, Ogoja; Bauchi State: Jamaare, Misau, Azare, Itas ,Kafin Madaki,Kari, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Katagum; Jigawa; Hadejia, Miga; Osun State; Ilesa, Oshogbo and Kwara; Kosubosu.
Zamfara; Anka, Bungudu, Gusau; Sokoto State; Goronyo; Adamawa; Numan, Shelleng; Taraba: Serti; Benue; Ito, Katsina-Alan, Vande-Ikya; Imo State: Oguta, Orlu and Abia State; Ugba, may also be affected. NEMA recommended sensitisation and mitigating measures to stave off the impending menace. This is not the first time the agency would be issuing the alert. Earlier in June, NEMA had warned that as many as 626 local government areas in the country stood the risk of flooding. The prediction was based on the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which indicated that a total of 66 local government areas were at high flood risk in the months of April to June; 148 in July to September and 100 in the months of October and November.
Also, 41 local government areas fall within the moderate flood risk areas in the months of April to June; 199 in the months of July to September and 72 in the months of October and November. The forecast indicated a high risk of coastal flooding due to 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 were also predicted over many cities and towns due to poor drainage systems and lack of compliance to town planning and environmental regulations.
The forecast that 19 states and 56 communities will be affected by flood is unsettling. Therefore, the federal and state governments should come up with measures to mitigate the impacts of the flood. Already, the impacts of the flood are being felt in some communities. Reports indicate that more than 25,000 birds were killed by a flood that ravaged Matuuci Farms Ltd in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State. The flood also affected fish, potatoes and other crops in the estate, rendering 400 staff of the company out of job, according to the proprietor of the farm, Patrick Sule-Ugboma. The disaster also affected bridges on Onitsha-Ndoni Road, posing danger to residents and travellers, who make use of the river.Last year, floods accounted for 665 deaths and injuries to 3,181 persons nationwide. A total of 4,476,867 persons were affected; 2,437,411 persons displaced, about 944,989 farmlands damaged and 355,986 houses partially or totally destroyed. In Jigawa State, more than 111 people were killed by the disaster. About 76 Nigerians leaving flood-ravaged areas in Anambra State were drowned in Ogbaru axis of the state when a boat ferrying them capsized.
Communities in the littoral regions were the worst hit as 27 out of the 36 states of the federation were affected. The flooding in Nasarawa State affected one of the nation’s largest rice farms, Olam Farms, which contributed to scarcity and hike in the price of the item. According to the company, the incident affected its $20 million investment, which accounts for 25 per cent of the country’s rice needs. With predictions of heavier rainfalls in the months ahead, the fears of more devastations are higher.
Heavy rains, release of dam water from neighbouring countries, inadequate preventive infrastructure and the unhealthy attitude of Nigerians are some of the causes of Nigeria’s perennial flooding. There is need for remedial measures to check the incessant flooding. Government should desilt the drains and open up the water channels. Let there be more enlightenment campaigns on flooding and the need for proactive actions against the menace. Those living in the littoral regions should be evacuated.
Flood-prone states should engage in mitigating efforts to minimise the impacts of the challenge. It is good that Ogun State government has alerted residents of Akute, Isheri, Mowe, Ibafo, Riverside Estate and other border communities between Lagos and Ogun to relocate to safer areas. Other states should follow suit and equally provide camps for the affected citizens. Above all, there should be a master plan to reduce the effects of flooding in the country. Let government build more dams to absorb the waters.
