The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, has raised alarm over the looming threat of floods in several states across Nigeria, with 148 Local Government Areas in 31 states identified as highly probable flood risk areas for 2024.
Utsev issued this warning during the official unveiling of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) held on Monday in Abuja. The theme of this year’s AFO is “Promoting the Use of Data Analytics and Modeling for Flood Risk Assessments and Food Security.”
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) spearheads the yearly predictions, with states such as Lagos, Kogi, Kano, and others listed among the identified high-risk areas.
The minister emphasized the urgency of proactive measures to mitigate potential flood impacts in these regions. He stressed the importance of preparedness, early warning systems, and community engagement to minimize damage to lives and property.
According to Utsev, the high flood risk areas are expected to face challenges from April to November 2024, potentially affecting various aspects such as population, agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the environment.
He highlighted the alignment of the AFO theme with the Presidential Agenda on Food Security, emphasizing its significance in the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve national prosperity.
Utsev recalled Nigeria’s history of recurrent and severe flood disasters, citing the devastating events of 2012 and the catastrophic floods of 2022, which were deemed the worst in the country’s history in terms of impact magnitude.
In response to the ongoing challenges posed by flooding, President Bola Tinubu initiated the National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness, and Response.
The committee’s mandate is to develop a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s flood mitigation, preparedness, adaptation, and communication infrastructure.
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), underscored the importance of collaboration between NIHSA and NIMET in bolstering the nation’s disaster preparedness.
He noted that this partnership has significantly improved efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding through early warning systems.
The states identified as highly probable flood risk areas for 2024, are: Adamawa
Akwa-Ibom
Anambra
Bauchi
Bayelsa
Benue
Borno
Cross-River
Delta
Ebonyi
Edo
Imo
Jigawa
Kaduna
Kano
Katsina
Kebbi
Kogi
Kwara
Lagos
Nasarawa
Niger
Ogun
Ondo
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Sokoto
Taraba
Yobe
These states, along with their respective Local Government Areas, are at risk of flooding according to the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook.