By Ralph Chris-Izokpu
The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, NIHSA, has predicted that there would be greater flooding this year, and that Nigerians should make adquate preparation against the raining season.
The Director General of NIHSA Clement Onyeaso gave this advice at the agency maiden press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Onyeaso stated that the raining season is fast approaching and the remaining days of the dry season is the best time to prepare against flooding so as to avoid the past reoccurrence.
He further noted that floods are caused by high intensity rainfall of long duration, inadequate drainage of low lying areas, silted channels, urbanisation and severe winds over water, unusual high tides, tsunamis, failure of dams, levees, retention ponds, or other structures that contain the water.
“Flooding problem is a global environmental issue which is faced by many countries worldwide, particularly in areas close to low lying terrains and river valleys. Over the past years, there have been increasing concern that human actions and natural catastrophes have been adversely impacting the environment, posing serious ecological and environmental hazards.
He said, “Though, flood is a natural environmental phenomenon, but it can be greatly accelerated by human Induced activities as it is the case worldwide. Thus with the increasing global papulatlon and the expanding activities of man, it is believed that flooding will continue to persist and therefore there is the need to control human activities, environmental adjustment and purposefully adopting actions in ceitain areas that would make adjustment possible.
He noted that, “according to the 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) made public recently by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), February 24th and June 22nd are the predicted onset of rainfall in the South-South and Northern States respectively, whi|e the respective predicted cessation dates are December 28th and September 26th. This implies that Nigeria is likely to experience longer period of rainy season in 2020 compared to year 2019.”
He, therefore added that the 8th Edition of its Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) would be presented to the general public in no distant time.
