The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, (NIHSA) has in its prediction of the 2022 Annual Flood Outlook, (AFO), predicted that 233 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 STATES of the Federation and the FCT fall within the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas, while 212 LGAs in 35 States of the Federation including FCT fall within the Moderately Probable Flood Risks Areas. The remaining 329 LGAs fall within the probable flood Risks Areas. The Highly Probable Flood Risk States are; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Delta, Eboyin, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa and Kadunna, others are, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe, as well as Zamfara and FCT.
The 2022 AFO, which was presented to the Public in Abuja by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, FNSE, FAEng, noted that the Annual Flood Outlook, based on empirical evidence, has aided the abatement of Flood Risks in the country, and building upon the past successes NIHSA has improved on its prediction capacity through introduction of new approach to the 2022 AFO, this new approach, involves disaggregation of expected annual flood events into three different scenarios, the first Scenerio as; Flood Outlook for the months of April- June (AMJ), Flood Outlook for the months of July- September,(JAS) as the second Scenerio while Flood Outlook for the months of October- November,(ON) as the third Scenerio.
Engr. Adamu further informed that the level of floods in the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas between the months of April and November is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, Agriculture, livelihood and livestock and Infrastructure and the Environment, stressing that part of 57 LGA’s in the Country fall within Highly Probable risks areas in the months of April, May, and June; with part of 220 LGA’s in the months of July, August and September; and part of 38 LGA’s in the months of October- November, 2022.
He stated that the moderate Flood Risks Areas between the months of April and November impact levels of Floods are expected in parts of 45 LGA’s within the months of April, May and June; and in parts of 140 LGA’s within the months of July, August and September and parts of 54 LGA’s within the months of October and November, 2022.
Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo are expected to experience Coastal Flooding due to rise in Sea Level and tidal surge, while Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe, Makurdi, Abuja, Benin- City, Port- Harcourt, Lokoja, Asaba, Nsukka, Kano Owerri Oshogbo, Yenogoa, Calabar and other urban City Centres will experience Flash and urban Flood, he added.
While calling on stakeholders to consider in strong terms the Flood Forecasts, Flood Early warning and information that are being issued by NIHSA in its AFO, monthly and weekly alert bulletins for reducing incidences of Flooding in the country, he also noted that AFO, will no doubt go a long way to save our dear Nation from significant losses of lives, properties and other critical infrastructure.
The Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engr. Clement Nze, FNSE, FNIWE, earlier in his speech, noted that the overall aim of the event, is to sensitize the nation, particularly planners, decision and policy makers, farmers, stakeholders and the general public on the need to embark on preventive measures to improve on safety and reduce potential damages to lives and properties,as well as increase enlightenment and sensitization campaigns for better preparedness on Flood mitigation and management, particularly in the Flood Risks zones all over the country.
The Director General further stated that the 2022 AFO, marks the 10th Edition of the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) with the theme tailored towards achieving sustainable Flood Management Practices and Food Security for our dear Nation.
Stakeholders from the event, which was attended by Ministers, CEO’s of various Government Parastatals as well as the Academia, commended NIHSA for the timely release of the prediction as it will guide, decision and policy makers and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are put in place.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, mni, in closing, urged stakeholders, Disaster risks managers, decision and policy makers to promote preparedness and embark on flood prevention and mitigation measures for sustainable National development.
Adding she stressed the need for participants to translate what was learnt and information at their disposal make our communities flood resilience for the betterment of our Nation.
Lauretta Samuel (Mrs)
Head Press/Public Relation’s Unit
12th May, 2022.
