The Federal Government has issued a flood alert, warning that 11 states across the country are at risk of heavy rainfall and possible flooding between Sunday and Thursday.
In a notice released by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, the states identified include Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Delta, Niger, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Specific locations named in the advisory include Ganye and Natubi in Adamawa; Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, and Ukpiam in Benue; Agima, Rukubi, and Odogbo in Nasarawa; as well as Beli, Serti, and Donga in Taraba.
Other vulnerable areas are Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, and Okpo-Krika in Delta; Rijau in Niger; Ribah in Kebbi; Gwarzo and Karaye in Kano; Jibia in Katsina; Makira in Sokoto; and Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, and Bungudu in Zamfara.
The ministry warned that rising water levels in the River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger pose significant risks, especially for communities located along the floodplains. Residents of areas stretching from River Gongola up to Numan, as well as those along the floodplains of the Benue and Niger rivers up to Lokoja, have been advised to evacuate immediately.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the advisory stated, stressing that state governments and emergency agencies must act swiftly to reduce the impact of the anticipated flooding.
