NEMA predicts above normal floods in Northwest, Southwest

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Individuals living in north western and south western states should prepare for above normal floods this raining season, the National Emergency Management Agency has said.

NEMA on Wednesday urged residents of areas vulnerable to floods in the states to relocate.

The Deputy Director, Planning Research and Forecasting, NEMA, Mr. Alhassan Nuhu, said this in Abuja during a meeting with the Regional Director, International Rescue Committee, Mrs. Nicky Smith.

While commenting on regions that should be prepared for heavier floods this year, Nuhu said, “More emphasis is being given to the north western and some south western states. But the prediction generally shows that we are going to have something similar to 2012 in most of the states except for these few areas where we are expecting something above normal.”

According to director, the agency has contacted the state governments on the fate of communities at risk of excessive flooding.

He said, “We have, in collaboration with our critical stakeholders, conducted a flood vulnerability mapping of 15 states in Nigeria, giving emphasis to states that are likely to be flooded. And we are also going forward to have the mapping for the whole country.

“We have distributed this map to all the states that we have concluded, showing them the highly vulnerable areas that must, as a matter of necessity, be relocated. And those who are in low key vulnerable areas also were given relevant recommendations.”