Brace yourself for more flood, Hydrological Agency tells Nigerians

The Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA), Mr Clement Nze has warned Nigerians to prepare for more flood as the country approaches the peak of flooding season for the year 2019.

Nze, who gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said “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 drainage system and poor urban planning resulting in erection of structures within the floodplains and waterways.

“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.

Read also: Customs seize N32.9m worth of smuggled rice in Niger

He noted that, though the agency gave warnings prior different phases of flooding ravaging some party of the country, “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.

By Babatunde Alao…

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now