Heavy Rains Imminent In 10 States

The Federal Ministry of Environment yesterday in Abuja issued a forecast of possible heavy rainfall that might cause flooding in 10 states of the country.
The Flood Early Warning Centre of the ministry released its forecast entitled: “Flood Status Report for Dissemination’’ and made available to newsmen in Abuja
The forecast, signed by the Deputy Director, Mr Ekong Ekanem indicated that rainfall should be expected between now and May 31.
“Please note and help to disseminate the forecast of possible heavy rainfall that may result in flood if adequate and necessary precautions are not taken,’’ it stated.
The likely locations to be affected include Anka, Birnin Kebbi, Bagudo, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu and Kalgo in Kebbi State.
Others are Biu and Briyel in Borno State, Jos in Plateau State, Gummi, Gusau, Bukwium and Kaura-Namoda in Zamfara State, Jemaa and Kachia in Kaduna State.
It also listed others as Gezawa in Kano, Jalingo in Taraba, Gombe and Nafida in Gombe, Katsina and Kauro in Katsina and Guzape in FCT.
Ekanem said that the ministry had been receiving verbal reports from various state governments on how the forecast had helped to prevent loss of lives and property.
He said that the appropriate authorities in the listed areas had been informed to watch and take necessary preemptive measures to avert the disaster.
“The alert is necessary to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid loss of lives and property,” he said.
He said that an alert had also been sent to areas likely to experience windstorm during the rainy season.
“Any change in the prediction will be announced as weather forecasting was based on probability, but let those concerned act fast,’’ he said.