Flood Alert
Flood Alert as FG issues warning. Residents living in flood plains and erosion zones have been directed by state governments to leave these dangerous areas before it is too late.
The alert comes against the backdrop of high rains forecast for July in several states, while the Federal Government has also issued a warning to those living near natural streams, flood plains, and erosion hotspots.
The National Emergency Management Agency warned on Wednesday that heavy rains might cause flooding in 14 states and 31 towns from July 4 to July 8.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, Lagos Territorial Office, encouraged key stakeholders in the affected states to take preventive steps to avoid loss of life and property.
The communities are Langtang, Shendam in Plateau State; Sumaila, Tudun Wada in Kano; Shagari, Goronyo, Silame in Sokoto; Okwe, Delta State; Kachia, Kaduna State; Upenekang in Akwa Ibom; Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta and Yola in Adamawa State and Katsina, Jibia, Kaita, Bindawa all in Katsina State.
Wara, Yelwa, and Gwandu in Kebbi; Shinkafi and Gummi in Zamfara; Briyel in Borno State; Gwaram in Jigawa; Jebba in Kwara State; and Mashegu in Kontagora in Niger State are among the others.
Farinloye thanked the Flood Early Warning System Central Hub of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, for sharing the information.
A toddler is killed by a flood.
A one-year-old boy perished in a downpour in Katsina on Tuesday night, demonstrating the extent of the floods.
The rain began shortly before 4 p.m. and finished shortly after 10 p.m.
Hajiya Binta Dangani, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, verified the occurrence on Wednesday.
She explained that the deceased’s mother was carrying him on her shoulder when he slipped from her hands and fell into the flood which swept him away.
“The mother of the boy was carrying him on her shoulder while she had another baby strapped to her back,” the SEMA boss added. Unfortunately, the boy slid from his mother’s shoulder and went into the flood, despite rescue efforts. The house where the incident occurred is near a stream.
“So, this morning (Wednesday), I went to the house to commiserate with the family and also to remind residents to be cautious because we are already in the rainy season.”
“I also advised residents, particularly those who live near rivers or streams, to stay away from the water whenever it rains.” Our efforts to educate residents about the devastation caused by flooding will continue.”
Katsina rainstorm
The downpour in Katsina on Tuesday hampered business activities in the state capital, particularly at Kofar Kaoran Quarters, where the newly constructed underpass and neighboring offices and houses were flooded.
Throughout the night, both human and vehicular movements were disrupted as a result of the development.
With the onset of rains, Katsina Sokoto and Kwara State are appealing to residents to leave flood zones and clear blocked drainages.
Dangani, the Katsina SEMA chief, told our correspondent that the state would relocate residents still living near flood plains, but that no IDP camps would be established.
“We plan to evacuate those living along flood plains; we will not set up any IDP camps,” she said. We shall continue with our sensitization efforts to further enlighten residents on flooding and why people should not reside on the flood plains or be wary of building near rivers.
“This morning (Wednesday), I led a team on a house-to-house sensitization exercise in Katsina for residents who live near the river and in flood-prone areas.” We were at the home of a mom who had lost her one-year-old baby to a flood during a severe downpour on Tuesday evening.
A staff member of the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Abubakar, explained that the agency had already created awareness in some of the communities that might be affected by possible flooding.
Mustapha noted that the state government had done all that was necessary to tackle such an incident if it eventually arose, stressing that the agency had always prepared ahead of time for it.
“Sokoto State has been at the forefront of dealing with the flood disaster,” he stated. SEMA and its partners, Coopi and Christian Aid, presented this year’s flood outlook to stakeholders and community leaders who were expected to be affected in April.
“In May, flood awareness and early warning campaigns were also carried out in Goronyo, Rabah, and Sokoto South LGAs.”
“Yesterday (Tuesday), a flood simulation exercise was conducted in Goronyo and Rabah with the assistance of Coopi and Christian Aid.”
The government in Kwara State was not taking matters lightly, as it was reported that work on cleansing and desilting rivers had begun.
Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said that the administration has been implementing flood prevention programs in the state since March, in response to NEMA and other organizations’ warnings of floods.
“Since March, the government has rolled out various engagement and enlightenment programs, including audiovisuals broadcast on radio and across various new media platforms, to ensure that citizens are properly guided,” he said.
“In addition, the government has begun clearing drainages.” There is ongoing desilting of drainages and the dredging of large water channels in the state, including the state capital.”
On the engagement with residents living in flood-prone areas, Ajakaye noted, “Of course, we cannot get tired of engaging with residents of flood-prone areas and those living along the banks of River Niger on the danger of staying put.”
Alhaji Salawu Adisa, a former Taiwo Isale resident and flood victim, said he had relocated out of his house, which had been flooded by the Asa river.
“We have been packing out of our house in the Taiwo Isale area since March of this year, in response to a directive from the state government.” Many of the locals have left the region. I’ve relocated to the Oshin area on the outskirts of Ilorin with my family,” he added, adding that the authorities provided no compensation to flood victims.
In addition, Delta State officials have urged residents in flood-prone areas to migrate to safer grounds and farmers to begin harvesting early to prevent losses.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima told the Jigawa State Government on Wednesday in Abuja that the Tinubu government will help to mitigate the disastrous flooding incidents the state experienced during the last rainy season.
“I want to convey to you President Bola Tinubu’s message that the challenges of the place will be adequately captured in the next budget,” Shettima told a delegation of the Hadeija Emirate Council led by its Emir and Chairman of the Jigawa State Traditional Council, Adamu Maje, who paid him a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja.
Olusola Abiola, State House Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday headed ‘Vice President Shettima restates the importance of peace for the country.’
Shettima’s remarks come six months after former President Muhammadu Buhari promised to offer additional relief supplies to flood victims in the state.
Buhari had taken an aerial tour of some of the roads, infrastructure, bridges, and locations impacted by the flood disaster in September 2022, which affected several portions of Jigawa State, in late January.
They include Auyo through Kafin Hausa and some parts of Miga, Jahun, Kiyawa, Dutse, and Birnin Kudu Local Government areas.