Kaduna, FCT May Experience Below Average Rainfall, Says NEMA

 The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa and Yobe are likely to observe below average rainfall during the year's rainy season.

Director-General, Mustapha Ahmed disclosed this at the public presentation of the 2023 Climate-Related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies document, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Cross River were expected to record rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above.

Ahmed said that based on the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 66 local government areas are at high risk of flooding in the months of April to June.

He said that 148 local governments would be at high risk of flooding in the months of July to September., while 100 others in the months of October and November would encounter same.

“In addition, a total of 41 LGAs fall within the moderate flood risk areas in the months of April to June; 199 LGAs in the months of July to September, and 72 LGAs in the months of October and November.

“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 system and the lack of compliance to town planning and environmental regulations,” he said.

The director-general said that with the predicted forecast, the year may witness floods similar to what occured last year, if not more.

According to Ahmed, the Agency had written letters to the 36 state governments and the FCT administration to notify them of the local government areas at risks and actions that are expected to be taken by them.

The agency, he said, also commenced public sensitisation on the need to heed to early warnings by all Nigerians.

He advised Nigerians to be involved in disaster risk reduction and take serious all advisories released by relevant authorities.