FG issues flood alert to 22 states, predicts five days of heavy rainfall

At least 94 towns across 22 states are at risk of severe flooding from July 16 to July 20, 2024., according to Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment.

Salako issued a warning, predicting intense rainfall in the designated areas and surrounding regions, potentially leading to flooding.

He listed the concerned states as: Adamawa State (Gbajili, Ganye); Abia State (Eziama, Arochukwu); Anambra State (Onitsha); Akwa Ibom (Uyo, Upenekang, Oron, Edor, Eket, Obianga, Etinan); and Bauchi State (Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi).

Also on the list are: Bayelsa State (Letugbene); Borno State (Maiduguri); Cross River State (Ikom, Calabar, Itigidi, Akpap); Nasarawa State (Udeni, Tunga); and the Federal Capital Territory (Abaji, Bwari).

Others are Jigawa State (Miga, Ringim, Dutse, Hadejia); Kano State (Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Wudil, Sumaila); Kebbi State (Gwandu, Jega, Kangiwa, Gauri-Banza, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Kamba, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Argungu, Bagudo); and Katsina State (Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina, Daura, Funtua).

Also to be affected are: Kwara State (Kosubosu); Niger State (Ibi, Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu, Minna, New Bussa, Katcha, Rijau, Wushishi); Plateau State (Jos, Mangu); Rivers State (Port-Harcourt, Onne, Okrika, Bori); and Sokoto State (Makira, Goronyo, Isa, Silame, Sokoto, Wamako).

And lastly on the list are: Taraba State (Gembu, Beli, Garkowa, Gasol, Serti, Donga, Duchi, Gwarzo, Gun Gun Bodel); Yobe State (Gashua, Gasma, Damaturu, Geidam, Kanama); and Zamfara State (Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukkuyum, Majara, Gummi).

Salako called on stakeholders nationwide to take proactive measures to minimize the impact of the predicted floods.

On whether Cameroon had informed the ministry about the planned opening of the Lagdo Dam floodgates, the minister clarified that the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is responsible for managing dams, implying that they would be the ones to receive such notifications, not his ministry.

He said: “If there’s going to be any issue around the Lagdo Dam, they will inform the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, but I’m not sure they have had any information because if they have any information, they usually also transmit such information to us at the federal level.”