The federal government has warned that 915 communities across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at critical risk of flooding between August 27 and September 9.
The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre issued the
warning in its latest flood-risk advisory, classifying the affected communities
as requiring immediate watch, preparedness and protective action.
The government also classified 429 communities across seven
states as high risk, while 656 communities in 13 states were placed on moderate
risk watch.
The critical risk states are Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Edo,
Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo,
Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
Major cities and communities on the critical risk list
include Lokoja, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba, Calabar, Yenagoa,
Uyo, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos Island, Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo and
Ibadan.
The government attributed the projected flood risk to high
soil moisture, rainfall, rapid surface runoff, drainage surcharge and rising
river levels.
In the advisory signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, director
of the erosion, flood and coastal zone management department, residents in
critical risk areas were urged to maintain immediate flood watch and verify
evacuation routes.
Residents were also advised to protect vulnerable households
and essential property and avoid settlement, parking, trading or storage
activities within floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage
corridors.
The government directed state emergency management agencies,
environmental officers and community flood focal persons to intensify
surveillance around rivers, streams, culverts, bridges, drains, estuaries,
reservoirs and erosion-prone corridors.
Communities classified as high risk in Benue, Kogi, Kwara,
Niger, Adamawa, Taraba and Kebbi states were advised to intensify drainage
clearance and monitor culverts and watercourses.
The FCT and communities in Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno,
Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna were placed on the
moderate risk watchlist.
The government warned that prolonged or consecutive rainfall
could rapidly increase flood risk in communities currently classified as
moderate.
Residents were urged to comply with evacuation instructions
from competent authorities, keep children away from floodwater and avoid
driving or walking through flowing water.
They were also advised to disconnect electricity where
inundation was imminent and safeguard medicines, important documents, food and
potable water.
The government said the forecast should be considered
alongside real-time local observations, drainage conditions, river levels and
official emergency directives
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