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Tag: flooding

  • ,Fed Govt: 13 states to experience flooding from today

    About 13 states may experience heavy flooding from today, the Federal Government has said.

    The states are: Taraba, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, Katsina and Borno.

    Others are: Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Gombe, Kebbi and Gombe.

    In a document, titled: Flood Status Report for Dissemination, released yesterday in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Flood Early Warning Centre, the government said the states were advised to take precautionary measures to curtail the effect of the flooding.

    It reads: “Please, note and help to disseminate the forecast of possible heavy rainfall that may likely result in flood, if adequate and necessary precautions are not taken in the following areas and their immediate environment between now and August 6.

    •Taraba: Beli, Donga, Serti, Takum; Adamawa: Mubi; Kaduna: Jema’a; Sokoto: Kangiwa, Shinkafi, Silame, Sokoto, Wamakko, Shagari; Kano: Kano, Bebeji, Wudil, Tudun-Wada, Sumaila, Kunchi, Gezawa; Bauchi: Katagum, Azare, Yelwa, Itas, Misau, Darazo, Jama’are, Kari.

    •Katsina: Bindawa, Jibia, Daura, Kaita; Borno: Maiduguri, Mallam Fatori, Ngala, Damasak, Dikwa; Jigawa: Dutse, Gwaram, Miga, Gumel, Ringim, Hadejia; Yobe: Putiskum, Machina, Dapchi, Gashua.

    •Zamfara: Kaura Namoda, Bukwium, Gusau, Gummi, Maradun, Maru; Gombe: Nafada; Kebbi: Bungudu, Argungun, Bagudo, Birni Kebbi, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Ribah, Wamakko; Benue: Vande Ikiya, Ito, Katsina Ala.

    “Appropriate authorities in these areas have been informed and reminded to watch and take necessary pre-emptive actions to avert disaster and loss,” the statement said.

    However, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) denied the report provided by the Ministry.

     

  • Fed Govt to build 550 housing units

    The Federal Government will build 550 housing units in the 22 states of the federation ravaged by flood in 2012, the Kwara state Chair, Committee on Flood, Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed has disclosed.

    He added that each of the 22 states would enjoy 25 housing units from the Federal Government. Dabarako, who is the state head of service told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that the state had put measures in place to mitigate flooding in 2013. He listed some of the states that will benefit from the Federal Government housing project as Kwara Kogi, Delta, Bayelsa, Niger and other states where the impact of the 2012 flooding was devastating.

    He stated that the state government had appealed to hydro-stations to regulate the release of water from the dams to avoid flooding. He opined that the water could be released gradually when the dam was not filled up.

    He said that: “We also spoke with hyo-stations that is Jebba, New Bussa and Shiroro. We advised them that what they could do to help our people is to regulate the way they will release their water. They should not wait until the dams are 100 percent full. So that people down streams will be able to manage their own situation.

    “We also went to the traditional rulers and chairmen of the councils to identify ten relocations areas in their respective councils for the people. Having done that we held meeting with the Presidential committee on flood last week; they told us that the federal government is coming to assist the people. It was at the meeting that we learnt that 25 housing units would be constructed in each of the 22 affected states.

    He stated that committee had identified such areas as Patigi, Moro, Kaiama, Baruteen and Ilorin as some flood prone areas.”

    He added that the state had designated 60 sites where to relocate the people of the state living in flood prone areas.

    The 60 sites are scattered across six local government areas of the state that were affected by last year’s devastating flood.

    The local government areas are Patigi, Edu, Kaiama, Baruten, Moro and Ilorin, the state capital, saying that each council has been allocated 10 relocation centres.

    The Special Assistant, Emergency and Relief Services to the state Governor, Musa Abdullahi said the government had cleared virgin land, arranged for tents and mobile toilets and provided about N5m anti-flood epidemic drugs as a proactive measure against the impending flood and the associated health demands.

    He added that the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed had made provision of N10m for the construction of the tents and N7m for the mobile toilets.

    He urged people living in flood prone areas to relocate to safe areas and be more safety conscious.

     

  • Lagos, Cross River, Ogun may experience flooding

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Anthony Anuforum, has said Lagos, Cross River and Ogun states may experience flooding.

    He urged the governments of the states to take precautionary measures.

    Speaking with reporters in Abuja yesterday, Anuoforom said the states mentioned are among vulnerable areas, where “there seems to be water stress in the Northwest”.

    He said: “The Standard Precipitation Index shows the nature and condition of soil moisture. We are carrying out the same exercise and keeping a watch on the vulnerable areas. The areas in red or brown are the areas where there seems to be water stress.

    “But I appeal to you not to raise a false alarm. We are monitoring the situation and it can be scientifically explained. The explanation is that the rainfall has not quite stabilised.

    “Infact, in some of these areas, we are yet to reach the onset stage of our prediction of January 15. It shows clearly that the raining season will start late in June, so it is not surprising that the soil moisture in those areas is showing water deficit.”

  • FG alerts states, communities on impending flood

    FG alerts states, communities on impending flood

    The Federal Government has alerted states and communities living in flood prone areas on impending flooding as the raining season advances.

    To this effect, the government has advised the affected states and communities to take precautionary measures against heavy flood which may result from torrential rainfall as well as opening of the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities.

    It will be recalled that Cameroon opened its overflowing Lagdo Dam during the rainy season last year, which caused heavy flooding in many states and communities in Nigeria.

    The flood claimed several lives and property worth millions of naira and rendered thousands of Nigerians homeless.

    Many of the victims are yet to recover from the disaster with a good number of them still living in resettlement camps in different parts of the country.

    A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on Tuesday said the warning was issued by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

    Quoting Mrs. Ochekpe, the statement said “in view of the fact that the Kashimbilla multi-purpose dam being constructed by the Federal Government in Taraba State to reduce the impact of water released from Cameroon is not yet completed, there is a need for concerted efforts by state governments to mitigate the likely effect of the large volume of water that may be released from the Cameroonian dam in the peak of the raining season.

    “While stating that Nigeria and Cameroon have reached a substantial level of understanding on how to prevent an occurrence of the devastation caused to Nigerian communities last year, the Water Resources Minister urged state governments to complement this initiative by clearing drainages and evacuating people from flood plains in their states.

    “She also disclosed that work is at various advanced stages on 23 dam projects which the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration embarked upon to provide safe water for different communities, irrigation for farmers and generate additional megawatts for the power sector in the country.”

    Ochekpe was similarly quoted to have said that six of the dams located in Imo, Ondo, Katsina, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory are ready for commissioning, while the Kashimbilla multi- purpose dam will be ready before the next raining season.

     

  • Senate seeks FG’s action on flooding

    Senate seeks FG’s action on flooding

    The Senate on Thursday mandated its joint committee on Water Resources, Environment, Marine Transport and Special Duties to find out the level of preparedness of the Federal Government to avert flooding during the year.

    The directive followed a motion on “emergency preparedness for 2013 flood and rainfall prediction.”

    It was sponsored by Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East) and 80 others.

    Enang in his lead debate noted that excessive rainfall in 2012 in the country coupled with release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon led to devastating flooding in most part of the country.

    He said the water released from the dam flowed through River Benue and merged at the confluence of River Benue and Niger at Lokoja leading to massive flooding, death, submerging of houses and farmlands in Lokoja, Kogi State.

    He noted that the flooding also affected Delta and Bayelsa States estuary where there are many tributaries, most of the tributaries silted and filled with sand such that the large volume of water from River Benue and Niger could not find sufficient dept to channel the volume of water to the Atlantic Ocean.

    Enang said that unless concerted effort is made by the Federal and state Governments and relevant agencies to clear the water routes such as bridges and channels, obstruction of flow of water to the ocean will continue.

    He said that there was an urgent need to dredge the coastlines of major rivers and ocean within the country’s inland territories where sand has accumulated in order to further reduce the impact of the restriction of water channels on seasonal flooding.

    Senate President, David Mark, who summed up contributions by senators, said that there was no local government in the country that did not suffer flooding in 2012.

    Mark noted that the implication of the massive flooding in parts of the country was the inability of the country to prepare for emergency situations.

     

  • NEMA: Flooding to affect 28 states

    NEMA: Flooding to affect 28 states

    •Agencies sign MoU on flood control

    Twenty eight states will be affected by flood this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday.

    It said all the states affected by flood last year would be affected this year.

    The Director-General, Mohammed Sani Sidi, said this at a briefing on Early Warning message and Disaster Management Implication of seasonal rainfall prediction for 2013 in Abuja.

    He said: “The states to be affected are: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara.

    “In the central area, there is Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Others are Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Imo.

    “The forecast cessation period is predicted to be spread over the country from October to December.

    “The prediction length of growing season will vary from 110-300 days, with most of the country experiencing a normal growing season.

    “NEMA is mindful of the fact that during the year any flood disaster, even of lesser magnitude, might result in large-scale devastation.

    “It has, therefore, become necessary to bring together stakeholders, especially the media, to ensure that the early warning message is conveyed to the grassroots.

    “In June, dry spells are expected in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno states.

    “There is likelihood of late season flooding in Kebbi, Taraba, Niger and Anambra axis.

    “As a result , there could be major challenges of food storage, processing and marketing, these could lead to huge post-harvest losses, if not handled carefully,” he said.

    This year, peak day temperature values are expected to remain too high for comfort, excessive heat resulting from this condition may lead to outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis, heat strokes and measles.

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA), NEMA and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on flood control.

    The MoU, according to the NOA Director-General, Mike Omeri, would help to enlighten Nigerians on waste control and disposal, flood control and to also sensitise Nigerians on the effects of flooding.

    The NESREA Director-General, Ms Ngeri Benebo, said humans contribute a lot to flooding.

    She also blamed it on the lackadaisical attitudes of Nigerians to the environment.

    “Building on flood plain, not adhering to town planning regulations and the blockage of waterways also contribute to flooding,” Ms Benebo said.

    The NEMA DG promised to coordinate all emergency preparedness as the rains approach.

    He urged states and local governments to collaborate on providing safer camps in case of emergencies.

     

     

     

     

  • ANPP urges FG to avert further flooding

    The All Nigeria Peoples Party has called on the Federal Government to do all within its power to avert a repetition of the flooding that befell parts of the country last year.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Eneukwu said the call was based on the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), about the expected volume of rainfall in 2013.

    “The attention of ANPP has been drawn to media reports about the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)’s 2013 rainfall prediction, which it presented to the public over the weekend in Abuja.

    “According to the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, this year’s rainfall pattern will not be different from what the country witnessed last year.

    “He specifically mentioned that the annual rainfall amount was expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the Northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara and their environs.

    “We in ANPP commend NIMET for introducing zonal seasonal rainfall prediction in order to reach the grassroots; we maintain that this warning should not be taken lightly by the states and Federal Governments,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the party as saying in the statement.

    He described last year’s “havoc-wrecking floods in several parts of the nation” as fresh in the minds of Nigerians, especially the victims.

    Eneukwu recalled that the nation watched in shock as homesteads and farmlands were swept away.

    He, however, expressed concern over the slow response of the nation to the menace that followed the natural disaster.

    “ Worst still also, is the sudden release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities, which displaced many communities in the country with colossal loss of property and some lives,” he said.

    The party’s image maker said the party was also concerned because floods posed threat to the nation’s food security and to the farmers.

     

  • Lagos moves against flooding

    Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to mitigate the impact of flooding ahead of the raining season in the state.

    State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who briefed journalists at Alausa yesterday, said the government had in 2012, dredged 70 primary channels across the 57 local government councils totalling about 32.3 killometres.

    He also informed that 330 secondary collectors’ drains were cleared for the free flow of storm water into the primary channels, adding that the constructions of new channels at Awori/Moricas, Elere, Arigbanla, Gbagada among others would help tackle flood when heavy rains commence.

    Bello who assured residents of government’s readiness to tackle environmental challenges said it would henceforth embark on massive clearing programme and dredging of channels to forestal flooding this year.

    “Over 25 projects are expected to be constructed to further de-flood some major areas of the state,” he said, adding that over 50 primary channels have also been programmed for maintenance.

    He listed some of the project for construction to include construction of coconut drain reach 11, Ajegunle, channelization of storm water at Ajegunle, construction of Shogbesan/Raypower collector drain Alimosho, and construction of Mumuni Adio collector drain Ijegun among others.

    The commissioner also blamed the Federal Government’s failure to intervene in the prevailing conditions of beach encroachment, coastal erosion and environmental challenges that affect lives and properties in the state.

    Bello also mentioned the case of Kuramo Beach, which suffered worse coastal erosion in 2012, explaining that the state government repeatedly called on the federal government for intervention without avail.

    He blamed the federal government for the relapse of Apapa’s traffic gridlocks and environmental nuisance due to “the failure of the federal government to make good its promise restore the area.

    He said that most of the challenges confronting the state government along its coastal lines as well as Apapa Central Business District (CBD) “are the statutory responsibilities of the federal government”.

    He said the state government asked the federal government for intervention when there was a grave case of beach encroachment in Kuramo Beach, without response.

    He said until other states of the federation “suffered acute cases of flooding,” the federal government did not release N400 million to the state government. “This is wrong. It appears the federal government is not ready to do anything for Lagos State as it had made a number of empty promises,” he said.

     

  • Flooding hits Indonesian capital Jakarta

    Flooding caused by days of heavy rain has hit parts of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, forcing businesses to close and blocking roads.

    Areas including the central business district (CBD) were inundated and traffic was grid-locked as residents struggled to move around the city.

    Weather officials warn that the rain, which is seasonal, could get worse in the next few days.

    BBC says the governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo, has declared a state of emergency.

    Officials said on Wednesday that more than 9,000 people were in shelters after being forced to leave their homes.

    “Days of heavy downpours caused the rivers to overflow and triggered floods up to 3m (10 feet),” National Disaster Management Agency spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, told AFP news agency on Wednesday.

    On Thursday many government offices and businesses in Jakarta were forced to close because staff could not get to work.

    Local television pictures showed people wading through almost neck-high water in some parts of the city.

    The presidential palace grounds are flooded – images showed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono walking around the palace compound with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa with his trousers rolled up above his knees.

     

  • Flooding: Jonathan approves N9.7b food production plan

    Flooding: Jonathan approves N9.7b food production plan

    TO support farmers in flood-ravaged states, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved N9.7 billion for execution of flood recovery food production plan.

    The plan, which involves the release of 40, 000 metric tons of food from the Strategic Grains Reserve to the affected families, will include provision of free seedlings and fertilisers to affected farmers.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this during an emergency meeting with Commissioners for Agriculture and Rural Development on the National Flood Recovery Food Production Programme in Abuja.

    Adesina said: “The real issue is how we compensate for the losses incurred. We have already put in place a flood recovery food production plan to support famers in the flood affected areas.

    “As the flood recedes, we will embark on the intervention. Mr. President has approved N9.7 billion for us to implement this plan.”

    He added: “The plan has four components: first, we will release 40, 000 mt of food from the strategic grain reserve to the families directly affected by the floods.

    “Secondly, we will provide free improved seeds and fertilisers to farmers that are directly affected as soon as the water recedes.

    “Thirdly, in states that are affected by floods, but vast areas unaffected, we will give them improved seeds and fertilisers while the last group, which are states not affected will also benefit from the free seeds and fertilisers but through the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

    Describing the disaster as a wakeup call for all stakeholders especially in the agriculture sector, the minister identified Taraba and Kogi States as the worst hit.

    He explained that the flood claimed 106, 400 hectares (ha) of 751, 540ha total cultivated area in Taraba while Kogi had crop loss of 72, 200 ha of 250, 670ha cultivated farmland.

    Adesina further put the total flooded areas as at 12th and 13th October, 2012 to 1.4 million as estimate for crop loss was 467,000 ha.

    Adesina dismissed imminence of food shortage next year adding that the mentioned data were outcomes of a sophisticated remote sensing and satellite imagery research conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to determine extent of crop loss.

    He added that with the various intervention programmes and support schemes provided for the farmers, the country would not suffer food shortage.

    Kano Commissioner for Agriculture, Hajia Baraka Sani, lamented the flood had affected about 25, 485 ha of farmlands while the state is yet to examine losses incurred on the irrigation farms.

    She said a total of 31 out of 44 local councils were affected, asides from houses and properties washed away.

    Sani commended the Federal Government for the initiative, stressing that it will complement the state’s effort towards assisting the affected farmers.

    Her Kogi State counterpart, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, lamented that about 20, 000 crops of small holders and confluence sugarcanes were swept off by the flood.