Authorities warn of possible heavy floods in Nigerian state Authorities warn of possible heavy floods in Nigerian state

ABUJA, July 10, (Xinhua/GNA) - Nigerian authorities have warned of the probability of heavy floods in 12 local government areas of northwest state of Kebbi as the rainy season begins in full.

Clement Nze, director general of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), gave the warning on Tuesday at a sensitization workshop on the 2019 flood prediction and prevention in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

"Flooding in Kebbi state has been attributed to the influence of River Niger and frequent overflow of Sokoto and Roma rivers and their tributaries and torrential rainfall which occurred mainly between July and September also increase the severity of flood in Kebbi State," the director said.

According to him, Birnin Kebbi lies in the floodplain of Sokoto River, encroachment of flood plains and increase rate of permeable pavement couple with the effect of climate change.

He told his audience that rice farmlands in Kebbi state were worse hit by flood over the years as most communities in the state were predominately rice producing.

Nze said some of the findings in the report indicated that the three categories of vulnerability included highly probable flood risk areas to be experienced in 74 local government areas in 30 states to be affected.

Probable flood risk areas would be experienced in 279 local government areas of the country, he said, adding that low flood risk areas would be experienced in 421 local government areas.

He predicted that probable flood area coverage in 2019 was expected to be lower than that of 2018.

The rainy season in Nigeria typically starts from March or April, and ends between October and November, depending on what region of the country it is, it can cause floods and landslides which damage roads and houses.

GNA

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