The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of the federal government has issued a warning that heavy rains between September 13 and September 17 are likely to cause flooding in 50 villages and 13 states in the northern part of Nigeria.
Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara, Bauchi, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Jigawa, and Gombe are reportedly the impacted states.
The communities that are most at risk include Sumaila and Kunchi in Kano State; Argungu in Kebbi State; Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, and Katsina in Katsina State; Kontagora, Mashegu, and New Bussa in Niger State; Kosubosu in Kwara State; Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi in Zamfara State; Bajoga, Darazo, Kirfi, Azare, Jama’are, Itas, and Misau in Bauchi State; Bali, Donga, Lau, Serti, Mutum-Biyu, and Yorro in Taraba State; Briyel, Biu, Dikwa, and Kukawa in Borno State; Ganye, Mubi, Demsa, Jimeta, Mayo Belwa, Numan, Shelleng, and Song in Adamawa State; Dapchi, Gashua, Geidam, Kanamma, Machina, and Potiskum in Yobe State; Nafada in Gombe State; and Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, and Miga in Jigawa State.
Residents of these villages have been urged by NEMA to take precautions, including as evacuating to higher ground, stockpiling food and water, and protecting their possessions.
The organization has also urged the federal and state governments to send aid to the impacted areas.
The warning comes as the Benue and Niger Rivers\’ water levels are increasing as a result of a lot of rain. Communities around these waterways have been urged to exercise caution by NEMA.
The Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja\’s Central Hub of the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) has received praise from the agency for its forecasts.
