Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, announced on Friday that 178 local government areas (LGAs) across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk of flooding this year. The statement was made in Abuja while presenting the key findings of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
According to the AFO, 178 LGAs in 32 states and the FCT fall within the “highly probable” flood‑risk category. An additional 224 LGAs in 35 states, including the FCT, are classified as “moderately probable,” while the remaining 402 LGAs are deemed “probable” flood‑risk areas. The minister listed the states with highly probable risk as Adamawa, Abia, Akwa‑Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.
For the period from April to November 2023, the AFO predicts that floods in the “probable” risk category will have a high impact on populations, agriculture, livelihoods, livestock, infrastructure, and the environment. Specifically, 66 LGAs are expected to face high‑risk flooding in April, May, and June; 148 LGAs in July, August, and September; and 100 LGAs in October and November.
The minister also detailed the “moderate” impact zones: 41 LGAs in April‑June, 199 LGAs in July‑September, and 73 LGAs in October‑November are projected to experience moderate flooding.
Coastal flooding is anticipated in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo states due to rising sea levels and tidal surges, which could affect fishing, wildlife habitats, and river navigation. Additionally, flash and urban floods are expected in city centres nationwide.
Adamu emphasized that the AFO was released to help federal and state governments better prepare for and respond to potential flood events. He noted that, after learning from the catastrophic 2022 floods, the 2023 outlook will serve as a vital tool for strategic planning, early warning, public awareness, improved mitigation strategies, and coordinated risk‑reduction efforts by all stakeholders.
Comments are closed for this story.