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See The Numbers Of States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding – NEMA

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 12th, 2024.

See The Numbers Of States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 31 states and 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria as being at high risk of flooding this rainy season.

NEMA is urging state governments in these flood-prone regions to back its efforts in providing early flood warnings and implementing strategies to reduce risks, safeguard lives, and protect livelihoods.

The agency emphasized that disseminating and adapting the 2024 early warning strategies will improve preparedness and mitigation efforts against the impact of floods.

At a one-day sensitization meeting in Benin with the Edo State Government and other stakeholders, NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the importance of collaborating with the Edo State Government to develop effective mechanisms for flood disaster preparedness and risk reduction to prevent flood-related catastrophes.

Represented by Daniel Obot, the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Umar underlined the urgency of the meeting, which was held in response to the 2024 flood alerts issued by the National Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

“Thirty-one states and 148 LGAs are predicted to be at high risk of flooding, while 35 states, including the FCT, and 249 LGAs are considered at moderate risk. The remaining 377 LGAs are forecasted to be at low risk.

These flood risk assessments serve as a guide for all levels of government to develop measures to reduce disaster losses during this rainy season,” Umar stated.