FG Alerts: See The Names of 10 States Currently Experiencing Flooding, 21 More at Risk
Flood
On Thursday, the Federal Government announced that 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have experienced various levels of flooding and casualties due to intensified rains.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, issued a warning that 21 additional states could face flooding. This announcement followed heavy rains on Wednesday that disrupted business and commercial activities in Lagos and Ogun states. The resulting floods caused a two-story building to collapse in Mushin, Lagos, forced residents to evacuate, and prevented pupils from attending school. Tragically, a student was swept away by floods in the Ketu area of Lagos.
Utsev referenced the Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in April, which identified 148 local government areas in 31 states as high flood risk zones. The high-risk states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.
The minister also warned of a potential cholera outbreak due to the flooding and mentioned that river flooding is expected to start this month in states such as Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Benue, Adamawa, and 12 others. He noted that out of the 31 states identified in the flood outlook, flooding has already occurred in 10.
Providing an update on the national flooding situation, Utsev stated, “Since April this year, over 10 states and the FCT have experienced varying degrees of flooding, leading to casualties, displacement of people, and loss of property. River flooding is expected to begin this month (July 2024), with Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba, and the FCT likely to be impacted.”
Utsev highlighted Nigeria’s location within the River Niger Basin, which includes eight other countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. He emphasized that when the upper catchment of the basin floods, Nigeria is likely to experience flooding as well. He noted that the hydrological year 2024/2025 has begun and the current water levels at various monitoring stations are within normal ranges. He assured that there is no cause for alarm at this time, as the water levels in key monitoring stations remain normal. However, he cautioned that the Lagdo Dam operators in Cameroon are currently filling the dam for hydropower generation, and the situation will be closely monitored.
Clement Nze, Director-General of NIHSA, emphasized the Federal Government’s advisory role, with enforcement and local actions being the responsibility of state governments. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to construct buffer dams alongside the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to mitigate flood risks.
In Lagos, a senior police officer confirmed the tragic drowning of a pupil in the Ketu area, while residents in various parts of the city shared their experiences of property damage and displacement due to the floods. For example, a resident in Aguda, known as Aluta Mama, reported that her home appliances were submerged, forcing her family to evacuate. Another resident in Agege, Anuoluwapo Atanda, noted that while her upstairs apartment was spared, those living on the ground floor suffered significant damage.
On Thursday, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser on Environment to the Lagos State Government, urged residents in low-lying areas to register with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency to facilitate emergency response. He also advised residents to relocate to higher ground, despite the lack of temporary shelters for flood victims.
