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NEMA advises Governors on potential 2024 flood risks – Check out high-risk areas across the country

May 1, 2024

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NEMA advises Governors on potential 2024 flood risks – Check out high-risk areas across the country

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning to State Governors regarding the anticipated flooding forecasts and the critical need for immediate proactive actions, as reported by NEWSDIARYONLINE.

The Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, has officially notified Governors, including the Governor of Adamawa State, urging them to take urgent proactive steps in preparing for the expected flooding in 2024.

In the communication addressed to the Governor of Adamawa State, seen by NEWSDIARYONLINE, the NEMA DG highlighted the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on 20th February 2024, as well as the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on 16th February 2024.

She said, “According to the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction, the general outlook of the Annual Rainfall amount is predicted to be normal to below normal in most parts of the Country. The temperature is expected to be warmer than the long-term average of the country in January through to May 2024.

“The 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) has forecasted flood situation for different parts of the country. It holds that 144 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 States are within High Flood Risk (indicating that flood will be high in 68 LGAs in the months of April, May and June; 131 LGAs in July, August and September and 44 LGAs in October and November), while 253 LGAs in 35 States and FCT are within Moderate Flood Risk Areas.

According to the DG, “After the release of these predictions, NEMA constituted a Technical Committee comprising relevant stakeholders to extensively analyze the socio-economic and disaster risk management implications with regards to climate-sensitive sectors of the economy including Water Resources, Agriculture and Food Security, Health, Transport, Telecommunication, Power Generation and Distribution. The outcome of this meeting is the climate related disaster Preparedness and Mitigation strategies recommended by stakeholders (Early Warning document).

Specifically, the NEMA DG said, “Further to the above, the flood outlook as predicted for Adamawa State is as detailed below:

Flood Risk LGAs and Months of Occurrences

The DG said further: “From the foregoing, I wish to request the State Government to kindly take proactive and necessary preparedness and mitigative measures to prevent loss of lives and property arising from predicted flooding. These should include amongst others:

She advised that “Prompt sensitization of the public on the information contained in the 2024 Climate Related Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation Strategies as a measure for early warning and flood disaster prevention.

“Directing the State Emergency Management Agency, frontline Local Government Authorities, and other response Agencies to be prepared to mitigate and respond.

“Educating citizens to imbibe attitudinal change towards warnings for flood prevention by Government Agencies and desist from unethical environmental practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal.

“Identification of high grounds for possible IDP camps and shelter for evacuated communities.

“Removal of refuse, weeds, water hyacinths and floats from water channels and on all avenues for river run-offs so as to allow for free flow of floodwaters. This exercise is to be undertaken down to grassroots levels including Local Government Areas.

“Relocation of people living along high flood risk areas and those that are having socio-economic activities on the flood plains.

“Consideration for channelization of rivers in the State.

“Strengthening the resilience of communities by encouraging the utilization of local flood remedies.

“Prepositioning of relief materials for prompt response as the flood unfolds.

In the letter sighted by NEWSDIARYONLINE, the DG said attached were “copies of 2024 Climate Related Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation Strategies based on Implication of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook for your kind information and further action.

“A flood risk map showing LGAs and communities in your state is also attached to guide state operations.”

“Your Excellency, while we look forward to a continuous collaboration with your State, please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards”, the letter ended

NEWSDIARYONLINE obtained the list of high risk areas nationwide as identified below:

2024 High Risk Flood Areas, Timeline and Sensitisation Schedule