32 States, FCT To Face Massive Flooding In 2023 – Federal Govt

Federal government had stated that about 178 local government areas (LGAs) in 32 states of the federation including FCT are at risk of high probable flooding on the early rain that will begin this year from April as predicted by the Nigeria Hydrological services.

The minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu disclosed this at the 8th edition of the presentation of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) held in Abuja.

With this year’s theme: “Flood Prediction and Its Impact on Socio-Economic Livelihood”, the minister said it was in line with the Goal 1 of the United Nations Agenda For Sustainable Development (SDGs) targeted at building the resilience of the poor, those in vulnerable situations, as well as their vulnerability to climate related extreme disasters, which has adverse effect on economy, social and the environment.

The minister, in his statement also said the states with high flood risk are as follows: Adamawa, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo.

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Others are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him “a total of 66 LGAs fall within the high flood risk areas in the month of April, May and June, while 148 LGAs in the month of July, August and September, and 100 LGAs for the period of October and November.

Also, moderate effect of the flood risk would be experienced in the months of April, May and June in 41LGAs. More so, 199 LGAs in July, August and September, and 72 LGAs in the months of October and November respectively.

Adamu stated that due to rise in sea level and tidal surge, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers states are at risk of coastal flooding, noting that this could have a negative effect on agriculture, habitation and transportation in the country.

“Owing to poor drainage systems which characterize most cities in the country, flash and urban floods are also expected to occur in some areas such as Abeokuta, Abakaliki, Asaba, Benin-City, Birnin-Kebbi, Ibadan, Kaduna, Lagos, Makurdi, Onitsha, Osogbo, Port Harcourt, Warri, Sokoto, Yola, Suleja, Gombe, Ado-Ekiti, Nsukka and Owerri,” the minister stated.