Flood Alert: Nema Warns Of Impending Flooding In Delta, Ondo, Sokoto, And 16 Other States

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a warning indicating that Delta, Ondo, Sokoto, and 16 additional states, along with 56 communities across the nation, are at risk of experiencing heavy rainfall during the month of August. The agency emphasized that this substantial rainfall could potentially result in flooding across the affected areas.

In a statement, Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Coordinator, disclosed the vulnerable communities. These include Aboh in Delta State; Ado-Ekiti, Akure, Idanre, Ifon, Iju Itaogbolu, Ogbese, Owo, and Owena in Ondo State. Other communities mentioned are Apapa, Badagry, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Ojo, Surulere, Atani in Anambra state, Ifo, Ota, and Sagamu in Ogun state, Lafia, and Wamba in Nasarawa state, Ikom, and Ogoja in Cross River State.

Farinloye also provided a list of other vulnerable areas, including Jamaare, Misau, Azare, Itas, Kafin Madaki, Kari, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Katagum in Bauchi state, Hadejia, and Mige in Jigawa state, Ilesa, and Osogbo in Osun state, Kosubosu in Kwara state.

Furthermore, the warning encompassed Anka, Bungudu, and Gusau in Zamfara state, Goronyo in Sokoto state, Numan, and Shelleng in Adamawa state, Serti in Taraba state, Ito, Katsina-Ala, Vande-Ikya in Benue state, Oguta, and Orlu in Imo state, as well as the Ugba community in Abia state.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently predicted three days of cloudiness, rainfall, and thunderstorms nationwide. NiMet urged airline operators to stay updated with weather reports and periodic alerts from the agency for effective operational planning. The agency cautioned that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods.

The public was advised to exercise caution and avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. NiMet also urged risk and disaster management agencies, as well as individuals, to take proactive measures to prevent loss of life and property during the rainy season.