NiMet has issued flash flood alert for 21 states as preparedness gaps emerge despite ₦620bn Ecological Funds.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a flood alert, warning that Sokoto, Lagos, Edo, Benue, and 17 other states are at high risk of experiencing flash floods throughout July.
The alert follows findings indicating that despite receiving over ₦620 billion in ecological funds, many state governments appear ill-equipped to handle the impact of severe weather events, raising concerns about the effective use of these funds for environmental protection and disaster preparedness.
In its advisory released Monday, NiMet stated that the level of flood risk varies across the states due to the increasing intensity of rainfall across the country.
According to the agency, “Sokoto State has a high risk of experiencing flash floods. Other states with notable risk include Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.”
Residents in these areas have been urged to take precautionary steps, such as relocating from flood-prone zones, clearing drainage channels, assembling emergency kits, turning off electricity and gas during heavy rains, reinforcing buildings against mudslides, and increasing public awareness.
Meanwhile, flood-hit communities in Ondo State have appealed for urgent intervention following last week’s downpours that wreaked havoc in several local government areas.
Persistent rainfall from Friday through Sunday triggered floods that destroyed property worth millions of naira in Owo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese Odo LGAs. Affected towns including Uso, Ayeka, Ikoya, Igbodigo, Igodan, and Igbotako suffered severe damage, with buildings destroyed and bridges submerged.
Residents have called on the Ondo State government to provide relief materials and restore essential infrastructure damaged by the floods.