Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, has warned of more impending flood disasters in the near future as above-normal rainfalls and lack of adherence to warnings persist.
He gave the warning at a media briefing in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He said flood related disasters would only be minimised by strict adherence to warnings from relevant authorities and extra preparedness by states could also avert most of the looming disasters.
“Virtually all flood incidents already experienced in most parts of the country are caused by overflow of silted rivers especially those within localities and poor urban drainage systems.
“As of today, flood disasters have occurred in many states and the worse hit state is Jigawa with 16 local government areas affected and more than 50 lives lost, with property, livelihoods and infrastructures damaged.
“Meanwhile, both local and International dams are yet to release any water, what most states are experiencing right now are due to poor or lack of drainage systems and overflow from heavy local rainfalls.
“As of today, both Kainji and Jebba Dams on River Niger are still impounding water into their reservoirs, Shiroro Dam and River Kaduna are equally impounding water and there is no release of water from any of the dams within and outside Nigeria.”
He said spillage of water takes place once the reservoir level approaches 216m, therefore, no release of Water from the Lagdo Dam has occurred, a situation that is closely monitored.
