NEMA Alerts Kwara Communities Of Imminent Flooding

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday alerted residents of Kwara State to imminent high and moderate flooding in some parts of the state.

The director-general of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, dropped the hint during the 2024 downscaling of flood early warning systems in Ilorin, the state capital.

She listed the local government areas where flooding might occur, to include Patigi, Edu, Kaiama, Asa and Baruten.

Represented by the director of disaster risk reduction, Mr Daniel Obot, the director general called on the state government to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding in the state.

She quoted the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), as stating that 31 states with 148 LGAs have been predicted to be within the high flood risk areas.

She added that 35 states, including FCT with 249 LGAs, fall within the moderate flood risk areas.
In his remarks, the secretary to the Kwara State government, Prof Saba Jubril, commended the NEMA for its proactiveness.

He stressed the need for frequent dredging, the building of more buffers, and afforestation to stem flooding in communities.