KEMI OMONIYI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), have said there is likelihood of more states experiencing floods in the coming days, especially in the North-Central, South-East and South-Western states.
Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, and Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr. Clement Nze, gave the indication at the opening ceremony of the workshop on hydro-meteorological status and outlook system (HydroSOS), reports Daily Independent.
The NiMet DG said in the coming days, there would be high intensity rains and coupled with the dams being let open, there will be more floods.
Benue, Delta, Anambra and Kogi states are experiencing huge flooding, reminiscent of the 2012 floods. The latest floods has led to loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.
“Remember, we issued the forecast in February and we followed up with the monthly updates that we’re going to have above normal rainfall in most part of the country. So in terms of the rainfall induced floods, we’ve seen the peak but remember we told you that this rainwater gets collected into the reservoirs and dams, and whenever they are filled, it gets spilled.
So, on the 13th of September, the Lagbo Dam was released. And also Kainji and Shiroro dams were also were released. So what we’re witnessing now is riverine flooding” Prof. Matazu explained.
The DG NIHSA said the flood that has happened was primarily caused by rainfall and not the released dams.
He also noted that coupled with the fact that some people had built on flood plains, and with the rise in water levels in the River Niger and Benue, the floods became inevitable.
