The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) says 28 states, including the Federal Capital Territory are likely to experience more devastating floods from the end of August to early October this year.
The director-general of NIHSA, Clement Nze, told journalists in Abuja that the floods will get worse in some states and the federal capital territory (FCT) within that period.
So far, different states including Lagos, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Katsina, and Benue have had varying degrees of floods which have led to loss of lives, businesses, and property.
Nze said all the areas earlier identified as flood-prone this year as well as those along the rivers Niger and Benue may likely begin to experience more devastating flooding from the end of August.
He said, “Nigeria is located within the River Niger Basin which is occupied by nine countries namely Benin, Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.
“Nigeria is located at the lowest position of the River Niger Basin and this means that once the upper catchment of the Basin gets flooded, Nigeria should be prepared to experience flooding. The period of flooding in these upstream countries in August and September of every year.’’
However, he warned Lagosians against the practice of dredging and sand filling the Atlantic ocean to build model cities like those in Lekki and Banana Island because this may pose serious threats in the future.