Flood Alert: Over 8,000 Communities, 4,500 Schools At Risk In 15 States – FG
More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools in 15 states are at high risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, the Federal Government has warned.
The warning is contained in the latest National Flood Advisory issued on Saturday by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
According to NIHSA, rising river levels could trigger riverine flooding that will affect schools, health facilities, markets, religious centres and farmlands in vulnerable areas.
The Director-General of NIHSA, Arch. Umar Mohammed, who signed the advisory, urged state governments to immediately evacuate residents living on floodplains to safer, higher grounds.
“High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states. Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding. Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground,” Mohammed said.
He listed the monitoring stations to watch as Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.
According to him, the 15 states at risk are: Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos States
In Imo: Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru LGAs are at risk. No fewer than 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 health facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings are exposed.
In Cross River: Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra LGAs. 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 health facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland at risk.
In Ebonyi: Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs. 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 health facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland exposed.
In Benue: Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs. 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 health facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland.
In Anambra: Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum LGAs. 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 health facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland.
In Akwa Ibom: Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs. 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 health facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings at risk.
The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary to avoid loss of lives and property
