FG Warns Lagos, Others On Incoming Flooding In September

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that heavy floods will sweep through many parts of Lagos and other parts of the country between September and October.
The NIHSA advised residents of flood-prone areas to begin relocation because the rains-induced floods will lead to destruction of property and likely loss of lives.
Director-General of the agency, Mr. Clement Nze, explained that all the local government areas in Lagos, except Epe and many parts of Ogun State, will be badly affected, the agency added.
He also noted that 275 local government areas of the 774 will be moderately hit by the flood while 102 councils will be worse-hit.
The remaining states on top of the list are Rivers, Delta, Edo and Kogi.
The others are Ogun, Ekiti, Kwara, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.
NIHASA said governors of the states had been advised to begin immediate evacuation of residents in areas to be affected.
The agency said: “NIHSA wishes to use this medium to advise state and local governments, stakeholders, multinational companies and public-spirited individuals and philanthropists that all hands should be on the deck to save the country from the consequences of flood pandemic in the year 2020.
“The country still has many days of rainfall in the course of the year. More floods are still expected in the months of August, September, and October.
It can be recalled that Lagos State, early in the month, warned residents of four local government areas, especially those living on flood plains, to vacate their homes immediately. Those in 15 other councils also got the warning.
According to the city’s Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tunji Bello listed the councils to be worst-hit as Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu.
Bello explained that the local governments were identified as “highly probable flood risk in 2020”.
In a statement, Mr. Bello said the four listed councils will witness high intensity rainfall between now and September.
He urged residents with structures in low land areas to relocate without delay to avoid any untoward incident that may come with flooding and loss of lives and properties.
Quoting from the Annual Flood Outlook released by the Hydrological Services Agency on May 28, Bello identified 15 other local government areas as those at flood risk this year.
The local government areas put on the red alert are: Lagos Island, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Apapa, Ojo, Oshodi/Isolo, Agege, Ifako Ijaiye, Badagry, Surulere and Ajeromi-Ifelodun.
Bello assured that the ministry would intensify ongoing efforts at clearing silted drains as exemplified by the efforts of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) all over the black spots in the state.
He advised residents to refrain from indiscriminate discharge of waste and to stop patronising itinerant cart pushers.