The Nigerian Government has issued a flood alert, warning that 21 states are at risk of experiencing flooding, in addition to the 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, that have already been affected.
Jerrymusa.com reports that Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, stated that the Annual Flood Outlook has predicted that 148 local government areas in 31 states are at “high flood risk areas”.
“The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi,” Utsev said.
Cholera Spread May Increase
He warned that the flooding may lead to an increase in cholera cases, which have already resulted in “63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases as of June 30, 2024”.
He also stated that “river flooding will begin this month, and will hit Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Benue, Adamawa and 12 other states”.
The minister noted that “flash flooding has already occurred in several states, including Lagos, Ogun, and Osun, resulting in casualties, displacement, and property damage”. He attributed the flooding to “high rainfall intensity, poor drainage systems, and blocked waterways”.
Utsev urged residents to take necessary precautions and warned that “the situation may worsen as rainfall increases in frequency and intensity”.
The government has assured that necessary measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of flooding and prevent further spread of cholera.
The water resources minister stated that most of the flood incidents recorded so far were flash/urban floods resulting from high rainfall intensities of long duration and poor and blocked drainage systems in the urban areas and their metropolises.
“As of today, both Kainji and Jebba Dams on River Niger are still impounding water into their reservoirs. Shiroro Dam on the River Kaduna is equally impounding water. There is no release of water yet from any of the dams within and outside Nigeria.