Several Nigerian States May Suffer Floodings, Federal Ministry of Environment Warns
The National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Centre, an agency of the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a heavy rainfall and potential flood warning for various states.
It identified several locations and their environs likely to witness heavy rainfall in the coming days, a statement to that effect released at the weekend, says.
FEWS added that the heavy rainfall may lead to flooding, and urged residents and stakeholders in the envisioned areas to take necessary precautions and prepare for the inevitable.
They include in Adamawa State: Gbajili and Ganye. In Abia State; Eziama and Arochukwu. Anambra State however has only Onitsha likely to suffer flooding.
In Akwa Ibom State, Uyo, Upenekang, Oron, Edor, Eket, Obianga and Etinan are listed.
Bauchi State has Tafawa Balewa and the state capital, Bauchi. In Bayelsa State, Letugbene while the state capital Maiduguri is listed for Borno State.
Others are Ikom, Calabar, Itigidi, Akpap in Cross River State, Udeni and Tunga in Nasarawa State as well as Abaji and Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the FEWS DATA, North West Nigeria would suffer the most with Jigawa State
having Miga, Ringim, Dutse and Hadejia. Kano State with Gezawa, Gwarzo, the state capital Kano, Karaye, Wudil and Sumaila suffering the fate.
Kebbi State tops in the North West with Gwandu, Jega, Kangiwa, Gauri-Banza, Ribah, Sakaba, Kamba, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, Bunza, Argungu and Bagudo.
Other states to likely suffer intense flooding are Katsina State with Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, the state capital Katsina, Daura and Funtua.
Also, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukkuyum, Talata Mafara and Gummi all in Zamfara State. This appears as double jeopardy for the state where banditry has posed security issue especially to farmers.
In the north central, Kwara State has only Kosubosu. Niger State has Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu, Minna, New Bussa, Katcha, Rijau and Wushishi all expected to contend with the situation.
On the other hand Plateau State has least towns in the north central with Jos the state capital and Mangu.
In the riverine areas of the south south, Rivers is the only state to experience flooding according to the FEWS data, namely Port-Harcourt the state capitall. Others are Onne, Okrika and Bori.
Sokoto State has listed Mabera at the outskirts of the state capital, Sokoto, Goronyo a lake town. Others are Isa, Silame, and to the south of the state capital, Wamako.
Taraba and Yobe also in the North East have Ibi, Gembu, Beli, Garkowa, Gassol, Serti, Donga, Duchi and Gungun, while Yobe’s Gashua Gasma, Damaturu, Geidam and Kanama are to suffer same fate.
FEWS therfore urged residents in these areas to be on alert and regularly check for updates from the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Centre.