Flooding: FCT, Kano, Kaduna, others to experience below-average rainfall, says NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are likely to experience below-average rainfall for remaining months of the year.

Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, made this known during the presentation of 2023 climate-related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, forecast from the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) showed that a total of 66 councils are at high flood risk in the months of April to June, while 148 councils in July to September and 100 councils in the months of October and November.

He said: “Following the public presentation of 2023 SCP by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on January 24 and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on February 17, NEMA convened a technical meeting to review the two forecast documents.

“The technical meeting was attended by experts from relevant stakeholder organisations that appraised risk implications of the forecasts and developed early warning document based on thematic sectors covered by both NIHSA and NIMET.

“This document is expected to aid responsible organisations carry out preparedness and mitigation actions to safeguard lives, livelihoods, properties and the environment against hydro meteorological hazards in Nigeria during the 2023 rainy season and beyond.”

Highlighting excerpts from SCP, which predicted rainfall to be earlier than long-term average in most parts of the country, the NEMA DG also predicted rainfall range to be average and above average during the year.

He added: “The exception to these are for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna and the FCT, which are likely to observe below-average rainfall.

“Furthermore, states that are expected to record rainfall amounts of 2,700mm and above are Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Cross River.

“Similarly, the 2023 AFO has revealed that a total of 66 councils are at high flood risk between April and June; 148 councils in July to September and 100 councils in October to November.”