The Federal Government has predicted five days of heavy rainfall across 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), beginning today, October 14, 2024, and ending on October 18, 2024. This forecast was issued by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
According to the warning, the heavy rainfall may lead to severe flooding in many areas, particularly those along the Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun. The government has urged residents in these high-risk flood plains to evacuate immediately as water levels are expected to rise significantly.
The states likely to be affected by flooding include Osun, Delta, Cross River, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Yobe, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Bauchi, Plateau, and Zamfara, as well as the FCT.
In Osun State, regions such as Ede, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, and Osogbo are considered vulnerable. Similarly, in Delta State, Escravos is identified as a high-risk zone. Cross River State’s Ikom and Taraba State’s numerous towns, including Donga, Ibi, and Wukari, are also on the watchlist for potential flooding.
Other areas at risk include Nasarawa State’s Rukubi, Kebbi State’s Argungu and Birnin-Kebbi, and several towns in Gombe, Katsina, and Borno states. Kaduna State, notably Birnin-Gwari, Buruku, and Kaduna, as well as parts of Niger, Yobe, and Adamawa states, are also expected to experience heavy rainfall leading to potential flooding.
In Kogi, areas like Ibaji and Omala are listed, while Kwara State’s Jebba and Kosubosu, as well as several towns in Bauchi, Plateau, and Zamfara states, are also likely to be impacted. The FCT’s Kubwa, Gwagwalada, and Bwari are on the list of areas expected to experience flooding during this period.
The government has advised residents in these regions to take precautionary measures and to be prepared for emergency responses.
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