Stakeholders Raise Awareness against Floods

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Stakeholders have gathered in Abuja for a workshop focused on enhancing flood prediction and early warning capabilities. 

The workshop’s specific aim was to address the alarming predictions of substantial floods within the country.

The event titled, “Strengthening Anticipatory Action through Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems to Mitigate Flood Impacts in Nigeria,” was organised by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and featured representatives from various government agencies.

The Director General/CEO of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engr. Clement Nze, addressed the attendees, underscoring the importance of enhancing flood resilience and management. 

He highlighted the devastation caused by floods in 2022, which displaced over 1.4 million people, resulted in 665 reported deaths and incurred an estimated economic loss of $6.68 billion.

Nze, stressed the significance of flood awareness and mitigation, pointing out that flooding remains one of the common natural disasters in Nigeria. 

He called on all participants to collaborate and develop effective flood risk reduction strategies that would safeguard vulnerable populations and promote sustainable socio-economic development.

The workshop focused on improving the Water Resources Decision Support System and Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (WRDSS-FFEWS) to provide accurate and timely information to planners, decision-makers, and the public. 

Experts from climate change, water resources ministry and disaster risk reduction sectors engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing flood forecasting capabilities and promoting better understanding of flood risks.

The urgent need to address the looming threat of flooding has garnered attention due to the recent predictions of normal to above-average annual rainfall, as well as forecasted flood scenarios across various regions of the country.