The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians of the
possibilities of more floods in states like Lagos, Rivers and Cross River,
among others.
This is due to the late commencement of the rains, the
monsoon wind that usually brings heavy rain in the West African coast, and the
rising sea levels due to the melting of glacier in the polar region.
This revelation was brought to light in the latest flood
alert advice prepared by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the
country, and issued by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu.
Adamu, on Wednesday, said 30 states and over 100 local
government areas categorised as “high flood risk areas” should expect more
flooding.
He stated that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, a
parastatal of the ministry, had earlier come out with the flood outlook for the
country on June 13, 2017.
He said, “In the coastal areas, including Lagos, Port
Harcourt and Calabar, possible coastal flooding in these places were mentioned
in the NlHSA’s flood outlook. However, the case of Lagos State is unique,
because it is very low-lying and there is reclamation of wetlands, which
ordinarily should be buffers for floods.
“In addition, the rapid urbanisation of the Lagos coastal
areas has not been matched with robust drainage provisions as well as adequate
seawalls/barriers along the sea stretch.
“It is also important to mention that the monsoon wind (a
strong prevailing wind that brings rain), which usually arrives the West
African coast around June 22 to September/October, brings in a lot of rain to
the land, coupled with the sea rise due to the melting of the glacier in the
polar region.”
“All these are definitely increasing the amount of water in
the low-lying coastal areas of Lagos State. Worthy of note is the fact that the
rains did not start early this year, thereby possibly causing long duration
torrential downpour and causing unexpected urban/flash floods in areas with
non-existing or inadequate drainage systems in the country.”
Adamu stated that urban/flash flood or overflow due to sustained
rainfall in the urban cities or semi urban areas could be reduced with
effective and adequate drainage systems.
He said, “People must not use this facility as refuse bins,
which will block and render the facility useless with the probability of flooding
heightened when it rains.
“Furthermore, people in the riverine areas must not erect
residential structures on the flood plains as these areas are an extension of
the river space. Unfortunately, people have refused to yield to advice.
“It is therefore suggested that state and local governments
should do more to enforce environmental laws/town planning guidelines so as to
check such uncontrolled physical development activities.”
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