Hydrological agency warns of more floods ahead

NIGERIA Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) on Wednesday advised Nigerians to prepare for more floods this rainy season due to high rainfall intensity of long duration.

Director-General of the agency, Mr Clement Eze who gave the advice on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Abuja said the warning became necessary as it served to alert Nigerians that the country would soon experience the peak of flooding season for the year 2019.

“The localised urban flooding incidents being witnessed in some cities and communities in the country are expected to continue.

“The flooding incidents are due to high rainfall intensity of long duration, rainstorms, blockage of the drainage system and poor urban planning resulting in the erection of structures within the floodplains and waterways.

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“River flooding, as well as coastal flooding, is expected to come into place as the nation approaches the peak of raining season.

“Therefore, states and local governments should endeavour to remove structures built within the floodplains, clear blocked drainage, culverts and other waterways,’’ he said.

According to him, NHSA was closely monitoring the flooding across the country with the attendant loss of lives and property but explained that the flooding was manifesting as earlier predicted by the agency.

“This means that the relevant stakeholders, especially the individuals and state governments have failed to heed the flood predictions for 2019.

“Thereby resulting in avoidable flooding incidents leading to loss of lives and property, disruption of economic activities and loss of several hectares of agricultural lands,’’ he said.

All the 36 states Nze noted including Federal Capital Territory would experience different levels of flooding during the year.