28 States In Nigeria At Risk Of Heavy Flooding, Says NIHSA

A total of 28 Nigerian states are at risk of heavy flooding this year, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) said Thursday.

This year’s flood projections will, as expected, vary from moderate to severe flooding in most parts of the country, and rivers are likely to exceed flood level with some low-lying areas to be inundated, said the NIHSA in a statement following an earlier survey.

Out of the 774 local government areas in the country, it said, some 102 local government areas across 28 states are at risk of flooding — one of the most frequent natural disasters in Nigeria, which has a devastating impact on the poor and vulnerable populations who live along river banks and rely on floodplains for livelihood.

Although the projections showed that the floods this year might not be as severe as in previous years, it is important to begin to carry out aggressive awareness campaigns for preparedness, the agency said.

In March 2012, 32 of Nigeria’s 36 states were affected by flooding, in which more than 360 people were killed and almost 2 million displaced.