The Federal Government on Thursday, 04 July raised concerns over potentially severe flooding beginning from July end, saying 18 states and the FCT are likely to be adversely affected. The government also warned that prolonged flooding incidents might escalate the cholera incidents currently ravaging some states.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, while addressing reporters in Abuja said, Nigeria had been experiencing flash/urban floods since May, resulting from high intensification of rainfall which has been prolonged, as well as poor and blocked drainage systems in many urban areas.
He said from the end of July, the country might start experiencing river flooding, which might be more devastating. He listed states at high risk to include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Rivers and Taraba as well as the FCT.
The Water Resources Minister said river flooding was expected from major rivers like the Niger and Benue, urging for continuous monitoring and proactive measures. He noted that Nigeria is located at the lowest portion of the River Niger Basin, which means that once the upper catchment of the basin gets flooded, the country should be prepared to experience flooding incidents.
