Nigeria: Government predicts widespread flooding in 2017

Event

On Tuesday, June 13, The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) announced that eight major rivers across the country are likely to flood in the coming months. According to the NIHSA projections, flooding is likely in the Niger and Benue River basins, Sokoto-Rima basin, Anambra-Imo basin, Komadugu-Yobe basin, Ogun-Osun basin, Cross River, and Niger Delta, as well as several other sub-basins. In total, 26 states have been designated as being at risk of significant flooding: Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Yobe, Kano, Imo, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Borno, Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Kaduna, Jigawa, Abia, and Benue. Coastal flooding as well as flash and urban floods are also anticipated in 2017.

A flood in Kano state destroyed at least 100 houses in the early hours of Tuesday, June 13, and earlier flooding is reported to have destroyed a bridge in the area of the Tatabu and Gidan Moin communities.

Context

In Nigeria, the rainy season typically lasts from March to November. According to the NIHSA, the number of people in the country vulnerable to devastating floods is expected to continue to rise due to urbanization, population growth (particularly in flood-prone regions), deforestation, and climate change.

Advice

Individuals present in affected regions are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given. Monitor any relevant developments to the situation via local media, the authorities, and reliable weather reporting outlets. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.