The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers States are more prone to flooding this year.

The agency explained that the flooding which would be due to the rise in sea level and tidal surge may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements, and transportation in the states.

The agency, while calling for early warning action to mitigate the impact of the predicted flood, said this year’s flood may be more than what was witnessed last year.

According to NEMA, last year’s floods resulted in 665 deaths and injured 3,181 persons nationwide.

A total of 4,476,867 persons were also affected; out of the affected, 2,437,411 persons were displaced, about 944,989 farmlands were damaged and 355,986 houses were partially or totally destroyed by floods.

These were contained in Abuja on Thursday by the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed during the official presentation of the 2023 Climate-related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies.

Speaking during the presentation, Ahmed said the document is expected to assist responsible organizations carry out preparedness and mitigation actions to safeguard lives, livelihoods, properties, and the environment against hydro meteorological hazards in Nigeria during the 2023 rainy season and beyond.

He also said letters have been written to the 36 States governments and the FCT administration as part of measures to alert them of the predicted flood.

He said: “This year’s forecast has indicated that there is a high risk of coastal flooding due to expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements, and transportation in Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers States.

“Flash and urban floods are also forecasted over many cities and towns due to poor drainage systems and the lack of compliance with town planning and environmental regulations.

“The forecasts have provided many insights into what to expect ahead of this rainy season. The reality is that this year may witness floods similar to what occurred last year if not more,” he added.

On steps taken to mitigate the impact of the flood, Ahmed said: “Since the release of the forecasts, NEMA has continued to engage relevant stakeholders to explore ways to militate against the risk of the predicted floods and other related hazards throughout the 2023 rainy season.

“In NEMA, we believe that early warning must be matched with early action. Therefore, we have written letters and attached this document for dispatch to all the 36 State Governments and the FCT Administration with specific mention of LGAs at risk and actions that are expected to be taken by responsible authorities.

“We have also produced flood risk maps of areas at risk and uploaded them on our official website and social media platforms for greater access by the public.

“NEMA has also commenced public sensitization through the placement of flood early warning jingles, special discussions, and advocacy across the states.

“It is important to emphasize that it is our desire that early warning alerts are matched with appropriate early actions, especially at the community level,” Ahmed explained.

NEMA boss urged state governments that are yet to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in their areas to do so.

He also called the public to imbibe attitudinal change towards disaster risk reduction and take seriously all advisories released by relevant authorities.

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Matazu said the trend of climate change is alarming, hence the need to take it seriously.

Matazu while quoting data from a UNICEF report in 2022 said climate change and its impacts are no longer fairy tales but they are here for us to see.

“According to a UNICEF report in 2022, more than 2.5 million people in Nigeria needed humanitarian assistance, of which 60 percent were children, who were also at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning, and malnutrition due to the most severe flooding witnessed by Nigeria in the past decade. That was quite an alarming statistic if you ask me,” he emphasized. (The Nation)

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