The Federal Government said on Wednesday that heavy rains might cause floods in 48 towns across 13 states from September 13 to September 17, 2023.
It anticipated that rising water levels in the rivers Benue and Niger would have an impact on villages up to Bayelsa State, and encouraged residents in these areas to take preventative steps.
The government announced this in the flood prediction report of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Systems Central Hub, which was made available to our correspondent in Abuja.
Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara, Bauchi, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Jigawa, and Gombe are among the 13 states to be affected, according to the report.
The report read in part, “The following locations and their environs are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding within the period of prediction: 13th – 17th September 2023:
“In Kano State: Sumaila, Kunchi; Kebbi State: Argungu; Katsina State: Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina; Niger State: Kontagora, Mashegu, New Bussa; and Kwara State: Kosubosu.”
In Zamfara State, the report stated that Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi might witness heavy rainfall leading to flooding, while in Bauchi State the same scenario might happen in Bajoga, Darazo, Kirfi, Azare, Jama‘are, Itas and Misau.
Towns that might be affected in Taraba State include Beli, Donga, Lau, Serti, Mutum-Biyu and Yorro; while in Borno State, Briyel, Biu, Dikwa, Kukawa and Bama might take the hit as well.
In Adamawa State, Ganye, Mubi, Demsa, Jimeta, Mayo Belwa, Numan, Shelleng, and Song were listed, while towns that were named in Yobe State include Dapchi, Gashua, Geidam, Kanamma, Machina, and Potiskum,
Only Nafada in Gombe State might witness heaving rainfall that could lead to flood during the review period, while in Jigawa State, Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, and Miga might be affected.
“Also, due to the rise in the water level of River Benue and River Niger, communities along River Benue and River Niger up to Bayelsa State should kindly take precautionary measures,” the report stated.
The agency, however, stated that feedback from relevant stakeholders and state government representatives would be highly appreciated.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, had earlier stated on Tuesday that the Federal Government was striving to curtail the excesses of floods caused by heavy rainfall and the recent release of water from dams and rivers.
He urged Nigerians to always implement the recommendations of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, to mitigate the effects of floods, stressing that the government was currently trying to see how to tackle its excesses.