The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned 32 states to prepare for 2023 flooding.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Water Resource, Suleiman Adamu, at the Annual Flood Outlook, AFO, organized by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency, NIHSA, in Abuja.
The AFO was themed: “Flood Prediction and Impact on Socio-Economic Livelihood.”
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According to the minister, the theme aligned with the United Nations’ agenda for sustainable development, which is targeted at building the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable positions.
Adamu revealed that 178 local government areas in 32 states of the Federation and the FCT fall within the high flood-risk areas.
He said:
“The forecasts for 2023 show that 178 local government areas in 32 states of the Federation and the FCT fall within the high flood risk areas.
“While 224 LGAs in 35 States including FCT, fall within the moderate flood risk areas. The remaining 372 LGAs fall within the low flood-risk areas.
“The high flood risk states are as follows; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Delta, Ebinyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“High flood risk areas between the months of April and November 2023, and the level of floods in this category is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihood livestock and infrastructure.”
He further revealed that part of 66 LGAs across the country falls within the highest flood areas in April, May, and June, while parts of 114 LGAs fall in July, August, and September are part of 100 LGAs fall in October and November 2023.
The minister equally recalled how Nigeria suffered from the devastating effects of floods with varying degrees of severity and wanton destruction of lives and property in 2022.
According to Adamu, the 2022 flood was the worst recorded in the country in terms of impact.
It affected nearly all 36 states including the FCT with severe devastation and destruction of properties, infrastructures, farmlands, agriculture, and livestock.
