From Okwe Obi, Abuja
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that over four million people were affected by flooding, 2.5 million displaced, and about 944,989 farmlands damaged while 355,986 houses were destroyed by flooding, and 665 deaths recorded in 2022.
NEMA’s Director General, Mustapha Ahmed, who spoke during a public presentation of the 2023 climate-related disaster and preparedness and mitigation strategies, yesterday, in Abuja, said Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, and Cross River states would experience severe flooding.
He said the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), revealed 66 local government areas (LGAs) are at high flood risk in April to June; 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in October and November.
Ahmed said 41 local government areas fall within the moderate flood risk areas in April to June; 199 local government areas in July to September and 72 LGAs in October and November.
“The reality is that this year may witness floods similar to what occurred last year if not more. You may recall that last year’s floods resulted in 665 deaths and injury to 3,181 persons nationwide.
“A total of 4,476,867 persons were affected; 2,437,411 persons displaced, about 944,989 farmlands were damaged and 355,986 houses were partially or totally destroyed by floods.
“The exception to these are for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna and the FCT that are likely to observe below-average rainfall. Furthermore, states that are expected to record rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above are Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Cross River.
“Similarly, the 2023 AFO has revealed that 66 LGAs are at high flood risk in April to June; 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in October and November.
“In addition, 41 LGAs fall within the moderate flood risk areas in April to June; 199 LGAs in July to September and 72 LGAs in October and November,” he said.