Imported User:
The Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted that heavy rainfall and flooding would occur in 18 states of the country if adequate precautions are not taken between now and July 20.
Dr Morohunkeji Oyeleke, the Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Oyeleke said that the states needed to take preemptive measures to avert the problem.
According to her the areas to be affected include Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Ribah, Rijau, Wara and Sakaba in Kebbi.
Others are Asokoro, Aso Rock, Garki 1&2, Gwarinpa, Kukwaba, Mabushi, Maitama in FCT and Hadeja, Gumel and Miga in Jigawa.
She also listed Goronyo, Gunmi, Shagari, Shinkafi, Wamakko, Silame in Sokoto; Bindawa, Katsina, Jibia and Kaita in Katsina State as well as Echara, Onu-Ebonyi in Ebonyi.
Others are Eti-osa, Ikorodu, Surulere in Lagos, Gwarzo, Karaye in Kano State, Jamaare in Bauchi State, Mutum biyu in Taraba, New Bussa in Kwara and Shendam in Plateau.
Also included in the list are Jema'a, Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Bukuyum, Kaura Namoda in Zamfara, Damasak, Maiduguri in Borno and Gashua, Gaidam, Kanamma in Yobe.
The rest include Kontagora, Sarki Pawa in Niger and Mubi in Adamawa.
The deputy director appealed to governments of the respective states to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid loss of lives and property.
Oyeleke noted that adherence to previous warnings had saved lives and property.
She said that the information had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in the states to enable them take necessary measures to avert the flood.
She also stated that any change in the prediction would be made public, ``as weather forecasting is based on probability''.
