Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has made the public presentation of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), identifying high risk Local Government Areas in 30 States of the country.
These are located in Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Taraba, Kebbi, Jigawa, Benue, Kogi, Sokoto and Rivers states amongst others.
The Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mrs Zubaida Umar on Tuesday joined other dignitaries including the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof Joseph Terlumum Utsev, Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Dr Aliyu Sabi and the host, Director General Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency Engr Clement Onyeaso Eze for the public presentation of the 2024 AFO in Abuja.
At the public presentation with the theme: “Promoting the use of data analytics and modelling for flood risk assessments and food security “, Prof Utsev, in his keynote address highlighted the national flood outlook from the states with the highest probability to the moderate and lowest risk.
In her goodwill message, the DG NEMA Mrs Umar identified the AFO as one of the very important information used by NEMA for flood management in Nigeria.
She said “flooding has become a perennial incident in Nigeria with attendant impacts such as loss of lives, injuries, destruction of properties, displacement and loss of livelihood among others.
” There is therefore a need to put in place adequately prepared measures so as to mitigate the impact across the country.”
According to her, AFO is a veritable tool in making informed decisions and actions to enhance the country’s readiness for flooding.
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“Over the years, the NEMA has enjoyed a robust partnership and collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency as one of the critical stakeholders in flood risk management.
” The AFO is usually utilized by NEMA to develop the annual climate related hazard preparedness and response strategy which serves as early warning message for Nigeria”.
