TheFederal Governmenthas issued a warning of heavy rainfall expected to cause flooding in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory over thenextfive days.

According to the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment, communities along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun are particularly at risk and have been urged to evacuate due to rising water levels.

The flood prediction, obtained by our correspondent on Monday, highlighted that the affected areas include regions in Osun, Delta, Cross River, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Yobe, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Oyo, Sokoto, Zamfara, and the FCT. These areas are expected to experience heavy rainfall between the 14th and 18th of October 2024, which could result in significant flooding.

?From the 14th to the 18th of October, we anticipate rainfall that could lead to severe flooding in several locations,? the Centre stated, advising that communities in flood-prone areas must take immediate precautionary measures, including relocation.

The warning added, ?Due to the rising water levels in Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun, it is crucial for communities on these flood plains to evacuate. Other flood-prone areas should also be on high alert and prepare accordingly.?

This alert follows previous reports of flooding across various parts of the country, and the government continues to urge residents to be vigilant and prioritize safety during the predicted rainfall period. (Nigerian Tribune)