Two local governments in Kwara state have been predicted by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to witness high floods between July and November this year.
The Head of NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Niger State, Hajia Zeinab Saidu made this known in a statement made available to the newsmen. She noted that the flooding was particularly expected in Ilorin West and Ilorin East Local Government Areas of Kwara state.
She, however, said the prediction was contained in the Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) early this year.
“In this prediction, Ilorin West and Ilorin East LGAs are categorized among the areas termed as ‘High Flood Risk Areas’ foreseen to experience flooding from July to the end of the year.
”Other local government areas like Patigi, Offa, Edu, and Oyun, though termed moderate flood risk areas, may also experience high levels of flood from July to November.
“It is pertinent to note that Kwara has started experiencing flood and windstorms in some of these areas, hence the need for the people to take serious precautions to avoid any further damage to properties and loss of lives,” she warned.
Also, she urged those living around the river banks to relocate to safer places as a matter of urgency.
“This is because there is a strong sign that the water level along River Niger is rising and this will consequently raise the water level along its tributaries.
”This will therefore lead to an overflow of water on the riverbanks and that will have a significant impact on the settlement around the rivers,” she stated.
