The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have said more states will likely experience floods in the coming days, especially in the North Central, South East, and South Western States.
Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, and Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, gave the indication at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Hydro-meteorological status and outlook system (HydroSOS).
The NiMet DG said that there will be high-intensity rains in the coming days, and coupled with the dams being let open, there will be more floods.
Benue and Kogi states are experiencing massive flooding, reminiscent of the 2012 floods. The latest floods have resulted in lost lives and properties worth billions of naira.
NiMet reveals causes of the flood
“Remember, we issued the forecast in February and followed up with the monthly updates that we’re going to have above-normal rainfall in most parts of the country. So, in terms of the rainfall-induced floods, we’ve seen the peak, but remember, we told you that this rainwater gets collected into the reservoirs and dams, and whenever they are filled, it gets spilt. So, on the 13th of September, the Lagbo Dam was released. And also Kainji and Shiroro dams were released. So what we’re witnessing now is riverine flooding,” Prof. Matazu explained.
“And from the information we’re getting from NIHSA, we’re going to see more floods. And now the rain is concentrating on the North Central and the southern states. So that will combine short-duration, high-intensity rain, and riverine flooding. So we’re going to see more of these floods in the north-central states as we are seeing in Kogi and also south-eastern and southwestern states as we are beginning to see in many parts of South West.”
He further noted that water-associated risks will intensify in the coming years as the full weight of climate change begins to bear on our earth.
“In Africa, water-related hazards such as flood, drought etc has become a major cause of food insecurity, strains on livelihoods, health risks and conflicts in many parts of the continent.”
The DG NIHSA said the flood was primarily caused by rainfall, not the released dams.
He also noted that coupled with the fact that some people had built on flood plains, and with the rise in water levels in the River Niger and Benue, the floods became inevitable.
Alan Jenkins, the Deputy Director of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, commended NiMet as the first agency in the world to apply the HydroSOS.
REPORTERS AT LARGE earlier reported that 33 communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State were rendered homeless after last weekend’s heavy downpour.
According to a source in the area, some of the affected communities comprised Abacheke, Ogbedeyi, Ogboru, Okishikpa, Umudeyiezege, Umueze, Umuezukwefi, Umulakpu, Umuogrinya, and Umuojioke.
Others are: Mmahu, Abaeze, Umuoji, Obeakpu, Obiakpu, Etekwuru, Obokofia, Mgbara, Oforola, Umudike, Ekugba, Opuoma, Okwuzi, Mgbede, Aggah, Uzuagbai, Iyomikwu, Iberu, Eyoka, Ukpa, Edekamagha, Nwamjuamuyi, Tumali, Abaraukwu, and Utuogo.
