16 States To Be Flooded In One Week –FG

Federal Ministry of Environment on Tuesday predicted flooding resulting from heavy rains in Lagos, Kano and 14 other states between now and October 10.

Other states as Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Anambra, Kwara, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kogi, Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Cross Rivers.

The Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management of the ministry, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, said this in a statement to News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

Oyeleke identified some areas that could be affected in Kebbi as Argungu, Anka and Bungudu, while residents of Abak, Ikotabasi, Upenekang and Etinan in Akwa Ibom could suffer from flooding.

Other areas are Oyo town and its environs, areas to be affected in Jigawa are Dutse, Gwaram, Hadejia and Miga.

She also listed Aboh and Agbor (Delta), Atani (Anambra), Jebba, New-Bussa, and Kosubosu (Kwara) as well as Katsina Jibia and Kaita (Katsina) as arreas likely to be affected.

The DG predicted flooding in Azare, Darazo, Bajoga, Jamaare, Kirfi, Misau and Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi) and Kaduna Zaria, Jemaa, and Kafinmadaki (Kaduna).

According to her, the flood-prone areas in Kano State include Bebeji, Gwarzo, Karaye, Sumaila and Tudun Wada as well as Gusau, Kaura-Namoda and Maradun ( Zamfara).

Areas which could be affected by the downpour-induced flood include Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu and Sarkinpawa (Niger) with Bokkos, Buruku, Jos, Mangu, Shelleng and Shandam (Plateau) expected to suffer a similar fate.

Oyeleke identified Demsa, Ganye, Jimeta, Mayobelwa, Mubi Numan and Song in Adamawa; also Donga, Lau, Mutumbiyu and Yorro in Taraba and Eti Osa, Ikorodu, Lekki, Surulere in Lagos state.

She appealed to the governments of the 16 states to take measures to avoid flood disasters.

Oyeleke added that similar warnings in the past had saved lives and property.

She said the ministry had been receiving verbal reports from states on how the weather forecasts had been helpful in preventing natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Edo State Government on Tuesday began the distribution of relief materials to victims of last week’s flooding disaster in the state. Floods sacked over 30 communities in three local governments.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Peter Okhiria, in a statement, said the relief materials were distributed in fulfilment of a promise by Goveror Adams Oshiomhole.

Head, State Emergency Relief Agency, Maimuna Momodu, said the materials were to take care of the victim’s immediate needs.