The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has launched the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook alerting that 31 states of the federation are highly at risk of flood this year.
During the unveiling ceremony with the theme, “Promoting the use of Data Analytics and Modeling for Flood Risk Assessments and Food Security” in Abuja, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, said the forecast was to enhance nationwide flood preparedness by providing early warning signs.
He said the highlight is in alignment with the Tinubu administration’s agenda on food security and poverty reduction.
Prof Utsev affirmed that the report identified 148 local government areas in 31 states as high flood risk areas for the year 2024 beginning from April to November.
The areas include parts of Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, among others, that are susceptible to significant high flood impacts on population, agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the environment.
He asserted that the moderate impact level floods were projected in 249 LGAs in 36 States and FCT with specific timeframes in parts of 63 local government areas (LGAs) between April, May, and June; 221 LGAs face potential flooding in July, August, and September; while 100 LGAs are susceptible during October and November, 2024.
He further revealed that flash and urban flooding were expected to affect urban city centres nationwide, including Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, and Lagos, Asaba, Benin City, Birnin-Kebbi, and others.
