“Expect Flood In 23 States”, Ministry Of Environment Warns

The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a report which predicts heavy downpours in 23 states, which may cause flooding between now and August 27.

Some of the areas that are likely to be affected by the flood as listed in the report issued on Monday in Abuja by Morohunkeji Oyeleke, the Deputy Director (Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management) of the ministry include  Argungu, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo and Birni-Kebbi, all in Kebbi State.

Keffi and its environs in Nasarawa State, Okigwe in Imo, New-Bussa in Kwara, Sabongida-Ora in Edo, Buruku in Benue and Echara-Onu and its environs in Ebonyi State also appeared on the list.

Other towns on the list include Daura, Yelwa, Katsina, Funtua, Jibia, Bakori and Bundawa, all in Katsina State; and Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, Hadejia, Miga,Mallam Fatori and Ringim, all in Jigawa State.

Other flood-prone areas include – Bukuru and Shelleng in Plateau, Gombe and Nafida in Gombe,Damasak, Kukawa, Biu and Briyel in Borno State, Birnin Gwari, Jemaa, Kachia, Kaduna, Kafanchan, Kapa Madaki, Shanga, Zaria, Kauru and Shanga in Kaduna State; and Bebeji, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Sumaila, Tudun-Wada and Wudi in Kano State could be affected by the heavy rainfall.

Ms Oyeleke also listed Azare, Bajoga, Darazo, Yelwa, Jamaare, Itas, Katagum, Kirfi and Misau as areas that could be affected in Bauchi State, while Mutum-Biyu, Lau, Gembu and Beli in Taraba; Bida, Rijau, Sarki Pawa, Jebba and Kotangora in Niger could also be affected.

In Zamfara State, Kaura-Namoda, Maru, Maradun, Gusau, Bukwium were listed while Damaturu, Machina, Gashua, Dapchi, Putiskum, Kanama in Yobe State are also said to be prone to the flood; Yorro, Yola, Song, Numan, Mubi, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, Gainye and Demsa in Adamawa.

Sokoto State too might witness the flood in areas like Gada, Goronyo, Gummi, Isa, Makira, Kargiwa, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto and Wamakko.

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital too appeared on the list of the places that might be affected by the heavy rainfall-induced flood. Areas listed include Eleyele, Challenge, Moniya, Bodija and Odo-ona.

Ms. Oyeleke appealed to the governments of the identified states to take all the necessary precautionary measures to avoid flood disasters, adding that similar warnings in the past had saved the people’s lives and properties.

Ms. Oyeleke also said that an alert had been sent to some areas which were likely to experience windstorm during the rainy season.

She also stated that any change in the prediction would be promptly announced because weather forecasting was based on probability.