Nigerians have been alerted over a more devastating floods from the end of August to early October by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
The agency which drew attention to its earlier prediction of Lagos, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Kwara, Kaduna, Rivers, Enugu, Borno and Ondo states witnessing severe flooding as a result of heavy local rainfalls compounded by poor drainage system, said flood will get worse in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) within August and October.
Director-General of the Agency, Engr. Nze Clement Onyeaso who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday July 28, said all areas earlier identified as flood prone this year as well as those along the Rivers Niger and Benue, might likely begin to experience more devastating flooding from the end of August.
He said “Nigeria is located within the River Niger Basin which is occupied by nine countries namely Benin, Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivore, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Nigeria is located at the lowest position of the Basin and this means that once the upper catchment of the Basin gets flooded, Nigeria should be prepared to experience flooding. The period of flooding in these upstream countries is August and September of every year.”
Revealing that they are monitoring the development, he told newsmen that they will continue to work with Cameroonian authorities with regards to flood scenarios in the upper catchment of the sub-basin.
Lagosians were warned against the practice of dredging and sand filling the Atlantic Ocean to build what they usually call model cities like those in Lekki and Banana Island, as it could pose serious threats in the future.
Nigerians were also advised to ensure cleaning of blocked drainage system and canals to remove refuse, weeds, water hyacinths and floats on water channels.