Anambra, Kogi, Kebbi… FG says 19 states to experience river flooding

The federal government says 19 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) are likely to experience severe river flooding towards the end of July.

The government also warned that continuous flooding may exacerbate the cholera outbreak in the country.

Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists.

Utsev said the country has been experiencing flash floods caused by torrential rainfall and blocked drainage systems in urban areas.

He said the states that may be affected include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba, and FCT. 

The minister added that Nigeria is located at the lowest part of the River Niger basin, meaning that once the upper catchment of the basin gets flooded, the country gets flooded as well. 

He added that there is no cause for alarm as the country is currently filling the Lagdo dam in Cameroon for hydropower generation. He also said the flow situation at Wuroboki is relatively normal. 

The minister added that plans to build buffer dams along the water channel to mitigate the annual flooding from the Lagdo dam are nearing completion. 

Utsev urged states, local governments, stakeholders and the public to implement measures aimed at preventing the flood menace in the country.