ABUJA – The Federal Government has issued a stark warning, revealing that at least 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory have already experienced severe flooding, with 21 more states at risk of facing the same fate.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, painted a grim picture of the unfolding situation. “So far, more than 10 states of the federation and the FCT have experienced one degree of flooding or the other with several casualties recorded including displacement of people and loss of property,” he said.
The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, and Ebonyi, among others. The minister warned that an additional 21 states may suffer flooding in the coming months, urging authorities and citizens to be on high alert.
The flooding has already taken a heavy toll, with a deadly incident in Abuja’s Trade More Estate in Lugbe, where two lives were lost and several houses submerged. Other hard-hit areas include the Abuja Municipal Council, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Kwali local government areas.
Utsev cautioned that the situation could worsen, as the rainy season intensifies and river flooding is expected to commence this month, potentially impacting states like Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Adamawa, Benue, and Kaduna, among others.
The Federal Government’s warning comes amid a worsening cholera outbreak, which has claimed 63 lives and infected 2,102 people across the country as of June 30. Experts warn that the flooding could further exacerbate the spread of the disease.
The minister urged state governments and local authorities to take immediate action to mitigate the impact of the floods, including improving drainage systems and enforcing proper urban planning. He also called for coordinated efforts between the federal and state governments to address the growing crisis.
As residents of Lagos and Ogun states continue to recover from the devastating floods triggered by a 12-hour downpour on Wednesday, the nation braces for an even greater challenge in the coming months.
A pupil named Joshua drowned in the Ketu area of Lagos after being swept away by floodwaters while returning home from school.
Residents made efforts to rescue Joshua but he did not survive the strong current.
In the Aguda area, a resident named Aluta Mama had home appliances submerged by the flooding and had to leave her home.
In Pen Cinema, Agege, a resident named Anuoluwapo Atanda said the flooding affected ground floor residents in her building, damaging their valuables.
In Whitesand, Isheri Osun, residents were still cleaning up floodwaters on Thursday.
In Ogun state, at least 10 communities in Ifo LGA were affected by flooding from a river overflowing its banks.
A resident in Oregun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, Victoria Ojelana, said the flooding submerged houses and damaged household items.
The Lagos state government urged residents in low-lying areas to register with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, as this data would be useful during emergencies. However, the government has not set up any temporary shelters or camps for flood victims yet.
Overall, the article describes the widespread flooding that impacted various neighborhoods in Lagos and Ogun states, leading to property damage, disruption, and the tragic drowning of a student. The government is advising residents to relocate to higher ground and register with the state’s resident database, though more concrete relief efforts are still needed.
