The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said 13 states and 50 communities, mostly in the North, are likely to experience heavy downpour that may lead to flooding between September 13 and 17.
NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, announced this in a statement yesterday in Lagos.
Farinloye listed the states and communities to include Kano, with communities like Sumaila and Kunchi likely to be affected.
He also said Kebbi State, with communities like Argungu; Katsina State, with Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, and Katsina communities likely to be affected.
Other states, he said, included Niger, with Kontagora, Mashegu, and New Bussa communities, as well as Kwara State with and Kosubosu community.
“Zamfara State, with Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi communities; Bauchi State, with Bajoga, Darazo, Kirfi, Azare, Jama‘are, Itas, Misau communities; Taraba State, with Bali, Donga, Lau, Serti, Mutum-Biyu, Yorro communities; and Borno State, with Briyel, Biu, Dikwa, Kukawa communities likely to be affected,” he said.
Farinloye also said Adamawa State, with Ganye, Mubi, Demsa, Jimeta, Mayo Belwa, Numan, Shelleng, Song communities; as well as Yobe State, with Dapchi, Gashua, Geidam, Kanamma, Machina, Potiskum communities, would be affected.
Gombe State, with Nafada community; as well as Jigawa State, with Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, and Miga communities.
According to him, other states and communities would also be affected.
Farinloye added that due to the rise in the water levels of Rivers Benue and Niger, communities along the two major rivers, up to Bayelsa State, were advised to take precautionary measures in the coming days.
He acknowledged the National Flood Early Warning Systems’ (FEWS) Central Hub of the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja for its predictions.