Red alert for flooding; Kogi, Anambra, Yobe, and others

In order to lessen the likelihood of major flooding in 2023 as the rainy season begins, the Federal Government of Nigeria and State Governments are taking action.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had issued warnings that the flood this year could be worse than the flood in 2022.

Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Yobe, and Zamfara were among the worst hit of the 34 States, losing their farms, infrastructure, homes, cars, and other property.

The United Nations (UN) provided $10.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) to help mitigate the effects because the situation was so critical.

178 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk, according to the 2023 Flood Outlook published by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in February.

NEMA provided reassurance about its readiness during the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) mid-term assessment, which was conducted last Friday at UN headquarters in New York.

The Federal Government has created a Presidential Committee, according to the Director General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, to prepare a thorough plan of action for preventing flood disasters.

The plan outlines collaboration among stakeholders for efficient flood control and implementation measures, integrating structural and non-structural measures, ecosystem needs, land and water management, and setting forth measures for land and water management.

Ahmed announced the release of the 2023 Climate-Related Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies, a document that will help partners plan actions to protect people’s lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, useful assets, and the environment.

The Nigerian National Space Development Agency (NASDA) and NEMA are working together to make early warning systems and risk information more accessible through the media and other communication channels.

In order to address present and future hazards, the organization has also collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the creation of the National Disaster Database and risk-informed development.

“The NEMA has started holding National and Sub-National Platforms for DRR. Three of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones experienced the phenomena, and Amed predicted that the remaining three will be covered by the third week of June.

The DG asked for technical assistance with capacity building, early warning forecasting training, hazard risk analysis, post disaster needs assessment (PDNA), and Sendai Framework monitoring and reporting.

States are also making more efforts in the meanwhile. High-risk regions in Anambra include Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala LGAs.

Residents in low-lying areas were urged to prepare an early family evacuation, according to the authorities.

For those who evacuated early, it confirmed the construction of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“Clear gutters and drainages; do not dump rubbish there; relocate to higher land before the water reaches neck depth. Climb to the high platform and remain there if you are separated from the prescribed location.

“SEMA has advised riverine people to take precautions against flooding, such as putting together detailed plans for the prompt harvesting and evacuation of livestock and farm products to prevent losses.

“People should harvest now, not after the flood. Prior to the flood, they must develop detailed strategies to protect their residential homes and important possessions to the greatest extent possible.

Three schoolchildren died in Onitsha last year, and 50 people died when an 80-person boat capsized in Ogbaru, contributing to Anmabra’s high riverine mortality rate last year.

According to Kogi’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the government is proactively taking precautions in anticipation of the terrible flood of 2022.

The following nine local government areas (LGAs) along the Niger and Benue rivers suffered severe consequences: Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Ibaji, and Omala.

Director of Relief Unit Ajibade Abimbola stated, “We have started an active awareness campaign to inform the public about the expected floods in 2023 and the necessity for residents to migrate to high ground.

Mohammed Goje, the executive secretary of SEMA, along with 13 ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations and humanitarian partners, made the decision to take coordinated action in Yobe.

To raise awareness about and regularly check the dam gauge of rivers, they decided to work with religious, traditional, and community leaders.

A 5-year strategy on flood mitigation and control must be developed by SEMA and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) after identifying pertinent MDAs.

A prompt delivery of money for emergency action is anticipated. The administration also stated that it would identify schools that were at risk of floods and those attended by IDPs.

Labba Kuka in Mutai ward of Gujba LGA, meanwhile, had a flood in the first week of May as a result of a significant downpour that left 3 persons dead, 9 injured, and 271 households without homes.