States including Sokoto, Lagos, Edo, Benue, and 16 others are at serious risk of experiencing flash floods in the month of July.
Naijaonpoint reports that this was disclosed in a flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
This is coming after findings revealed that despite receiving over ₦620 billion in ecological funds, many states seem ill-prepared to mitigate the impact of such disasters, raising questions about the effectiveness of these funds in enhancing environmental resilience and disaster preparedness.
In the flood alert released on Monday, NiMet disclosed that the probable risks of states experiencing flash flooding events due to the onset of rainfall across the country varies.
The agency said, “Sokoto State has a high risk of experiencing flash floods. Other states with notable risk of flash flooding are Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.”
Residents of these states are advised to relocate if necessary, clear drainage systems, prepare emergency kits, turn off electricity and gas during flooding, strengthen mudslide prevention, and promote community awareness.
This came as residents of some Ondo communities affected by the flood that occurred last week have called on the state government on Monday to come to their aid following the destruction of their property.
The flood occurred as a result of a downpour on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, which has reportedly destroyed property worth millions of naira in communities in Owo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of the state.
According to The PUNCH, the flood destroyed buildings and submerged bridges in the affected communities of Uso, Ayeka, Ikoya, Igbodigo, Igodan, and Igbotako.