The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 12 states might experience high flood this year.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr Moses Beckley, gave the warning at the presentation of the 2015 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.
Beckley listed the states as Kogi, Niger, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Adamawa and Benue.
He said that probable risks areas in the country had been classified into: High Risk, Medium Risk and Low Risk Flood areas.
He listed River Basins of Sokoto-Rima, Niger-Benue and Anambra as those that might experience high flooding.
Beckley also said that local areas in Shinkafi, Biase, Chikum, Munya, Bukuru, Bonny, Etiosa among others might experience moderate flooding.
The director-general said that Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos were expected to experience coastal flooding due to the rise in the sea level and tidal surge.
He therefore urged Nigerians to put in place responsive measures that would help in reducing flood hazards.
“Indiscriminate dumping of refuse, deforestation, and poor drainage systems have devastating effect on the environment.
“Natural disasters are becoming more common all over the world, 80 per cent of these disasters are water-related.
“This can be linked to the effect of climate change, it is a reality, and we can’t reverse it.
“That is why we must do all we can, through attitudinal changes, and measures in place to help in reducing flooding hazards,” he said.
