By FAITH YAHAYA, Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Thursday, said the country may witness plane crashes following the onset of rainfall.

The prediction, according to the agency is due to the volume of rainfall witnessed in some parts of the country and how the runways are constructed.

The agency also said the above-normal rainfall could lead to the erosion of roads and bridges which would hinder the movement of people, goods and services across the country.

The Director-General of NEMA, Ahmed Habib disclosed this in Abuja at the presentation of disaster risk management implications of the 2021 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook.

He said: “Squall lines, thunderstorm, wind shear, microburst, flash floods can affect runways thereby disrupting landing and take-off of aircraft, causing a delay in flights, affecting sensors along runways and can lead to plane crashes in some cases.”

On the impact of the rainfall on other infrastructure, he said: “Flooding due to the predicted above-normal rainfall could erode roads and bridges which could hinder the movement of people, goods and services.

“Jetties may also be washed away which would result in economic loss.”

The DG, however, said the document presented would help in the mapping out of communities at risk and safe locations for the setting up of temporary shelters.

Habib also said the document would enable relevant agencies to plan for stockpiling of relief materials for timely intervention to persons that would be affected by floods and other disasters.

He added that the document contains recommendations targeted at guiding decision-makers at all levels of governments to avert adverse consequences, mitigate disaster risk, safeguard food security.

Recall that the 2021 Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), predicted that 121 local government areas in 27 states including the FCT fall within highly probable risk areas in the country. (The Nation)

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