UNVEILING THE ANNUAL FLOOD OUTLOOK (AFO)2020

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) is responsible, in line with its statutory mandate, amongst other functions, to issue yearly forecasts for flood management geared towards flood disaster reduction and to improved social and economic development of the citizens. The 2020 edition of the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) was unveiled by the Honorable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FNSE, FAEng, on Thursday, May 28^th, 2020 in Abuja.

Speaking at this year’s event, the Honorable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FNSE, FAEng, said the purpose of the Flood Outlook was to present probable flood scenarios for this year and to disseminate the flood information to all, especially to the people and communities in the flood prone areas so as to reduce the damages that can be caused by flood.

The Minister noted that although the Flood Outlook shown that 2020 floods might not be as severe as in previous years, it was important for all stakeholders to carry out aggressive sensitization and awareness campaign for preparedness.

He further commended the efforts of NIHSA in the development of a new Flood Mobile App, saying that it would add practical value to water managers, disaster managers and policy makers for overall disaster risk management.

The Director General, NIHSA, Engr. Clement Onyeaso Nze, while speaking at the event, emphasised on the need for stakeholders to carry out aggressive sensitization and awareness campaign. He also noted the need for continuous clearing of waterways, coordinated dams and reservoirs operations, among other things, to ensure the free flow of water in rivers and drainages.

The Director General used the opportunity to explain the use of the newly launched Flood Mobile App by the Agency. He said that the App can be used by individuals to monitor daily flood situations anywhere and wherever they are in the country. He stressed that the Mobile App is created to be of practical value to the water managers and the flood forecasting community for flood prevention and enhancement of flood early warning system in Nigeria.

The prediction showed that some parts of at least 102 LGAs in 28 states fall within the highly probable flood risk areas while parts of of 275 LGAs in the 36 states of the federation,including FCT,fall within the moderately probable flood risks areas.The states that are contiguous to Rivers Niger and Benue, namely: Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, kogi, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Bayelsa states are likely to be affected by River Flooding.

Please on the link to download the copy of the 2020 Annual Flood Outlook http://nihsa.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-NIHSA-Annual-Flood-Outlook-AFO-5-2.pdf