National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday 20th May 2022, presented the Disaster Risk Management Implications of the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) as released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and 2022 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
It has become an annual tradition for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to call a technical meeting of experts to review the Implications of seasonal forecasts to prepare the Disaster Risk Management for various identified aspects for necessary actions.
Among those in attendance at the presentation, were the Director General NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, Director General NIHSA, Engr. Clement Nze, Director General NIMET Prof. Mansur Bako.
Speaking at the presentation, the DG of NIHSA, elaborated the synergy between NEMA and NIHSA and gave a breakdown on the Annual Flood Outlook ( AFO) which disaggregated the annual flood events into three different scenarios which will achieve the goal of a dynamic flood forecast to showcase the peculiarity of flood events at different periods of the year.
“The highlights of 2022 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) shows that 233 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states of the Federation and the FCT fall within the highly probable Flood Risk Areas, while 212 LGAs in 35 states of the Federation including the FCT fall within the Moderately Probable Flood Risk Areas. The remaining 329 LGAs fall within the Probable Flood Risk Areas. The Highly Probable Flood Risk States are: Adamawa ,Abia ,Akwa-ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Venue, Cross-Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi,Ekiti,Edo,Gombe, imo, Jigawa, Kaduna,Kano, Kebbi, kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto,Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT.
“Probable Flood Risk incidences between the months of April and November, 2022 are expected in parts of 45 LGAs within the months of April, May and June. Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo are expected to experience coastal flooding due to rise in sea level and tidal surge which would have impact on fishing, coastal and wildlife habitation and river navigation”.
Engr Clement further emphasized that the overall objective of the update was to sensitize the nation, particularly planners, decision and policy makers, farmers, stakeholders and the general public on the need to embark on preventive measures to improve on safety and reduce the potential damages to lives and properties from flood and disaster.
In the same vein, the DG of NIMET,Prof. Mansur Bako, called on the states, the press, private entities and all Nigerians to carefully consider the 2022 Disaster Risk Management by NEMA for proactive decisions and policies that will help avoid losses and strengthen mitigation, adaptation and reduction of risks associated with floods.
“For the year 2022, the rainfall has already been established in all Southern States and most part of the central states in line with the predictions. Just a month away, rainfall is expected to have been established across the country. The rainfall amount is generally expected to be normal in most places, however; short duration, high intensity rainfall that characterised the onset months usually comes along with dash floods due to excess runoffs and disastrous wind gusts. Cumulative factors as highlighted by NIHSA must be taken seriously”. the DG NIMET reiterated.
As part of the General Recommendation for Preparedness, Mitigation and Response as proposed by NEMA, afforestation and reforestation should be encouraged at state and Local Government Areas. Also weather tolerant materials are to be considered during design and evaluation of construction projects.
