Foreign

Torrential Rain Leaves 33 Dead in Bolivia

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Hundreds of towns and villages in Bolivia have been put under alert as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in the South American country.

Officials say 33 people have died since November due to the rains, which have triggered landslides and caused rivers to burst their banks.

The death toll is eight times higher than in the same period last year.

Officials are carefully monitoring a number of dams which they fear could overflow.

Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, said out of Bolivia’s 340 municipalities, 10 had been put on the highest alert, and another 279 were on orange alert – the second highest.

Officials also said that humanitarian aid had been sent to Achocalla, in La Paz province, where a 35-year-old woman and her two children were buried in a mudslide that engulfed their home.

A neighbour told local newspaper Correo del Sur that she had shouted at the woman to get out of the house, but that the mother had probably not managed to grab her children in time.

More than 20 people were also injured.

Also in La Paz province, the authorities are keeping a close eye on the water levels in the Incachaca dam.

Government experts together with the mayor of the city of La Paz, which is located downstream from the dam, inspected it on Sunday.

Mayor Iván Arias said that while the water level in the reservoir had “reached 100%”, the water was currently draining well and he did not foresee “any major consequences downstream”.

Three more reservoirs Hampaturi Alto, Pampalarama and Alpaquita are also at their maximum level.

The heavy rains have hit Bolivia after a prolonged drought and one of the hottest winters the country has experienced.

Back in October, hundreds of people had gathered at the Incachaca reservoir – which is now close to overflowing – to pray for rain.

Extreme weather events are not uncommon in Bolivia, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change has made extreme rainfall more likely.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

BBC/Adebukola Aluko

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Environment

Ogun Govt. Takes Steps on Flood Disaster

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By Abimbola Bamgbose

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has promised to engage a consultant to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the causes of flooding in the state and come up with a holistic plan to find a permanent and sustainable solution to the problem.

Governor Abiodun made the promise on Friday while playing host to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor explained that the state government had identified some of the immediate causes of the floodings including excess water from Oyan dam, illegal construction of buildings on water channels, as well as, climate change.

Governor Abiodun said that the state government had also partnered the federal government in resolving the issue as the state government alone cannot handle it

While thanking the federal government for its quick intervention, Governor Abiodun hinted that his government had introduced some temporary solutions such as channelization and desilting of Ogun river to pave way for easy flow of water into the lagoon and also plan to invest on infrastructural correction by elevating the roads within the area 

He noted that the flooding had affected commercial activities within the isheri environment in ifo local government area while some of the residents were displaced to hibernate in church and mosque premises

Commending the minister for the visitation to the state, Governor Abiodun said the distribution of palliatives to the residents in the flooded areas would serve as a relief to cushion the effects of the flooding. 

On the #25,000 conditional cash transfer proposed by the federal government, Governor Abiodun disclosed that his government had set up an inter-ministerial committee to revalidate and verify the state’s social register and also to work with the minister in ensuring that all the people expected to benefit from the scheme are not leftout

Earlier, Dr Betta Edu in a remark said she was in the state to distribute relief materials to victims of Isheri flood disaster in the Lagos-Ogun area of the state  and to update the state’s social register so that people of the state can start receiving the #25,000 conditional cash transfer

The minister, however, added that her ministry has also introduced other interventions in the state including support for market men and women with the aims of taking about fifty million people out of poverty within the next forty-two months. 

Human Angle

Residents Cry for Help as Flood Sacks Taraba Community

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Farmlands, domestic animals and residential buildings worth millions of naira have been swept away by flood in the Mayo Selbe community of Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The flood is sequel to a heavy downpour which lasted for hours Friday night.

This is the first time the area has witnessed such a natural disaster which has also led to the collapse of a bridge within the community.

According to reports, residents of the community are seeking evacuation to higher grounds to avoid a repeat.

They also appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid.

The traditional ruler of the community, a third-class chief, Thomas Maiyanga is soliciting assistance from both the state and Federal Governments in rebuilding not just their homes but their lives.

He insisted that his subjects had been subjected to hardship in the wake of the flood as most of them had lost virtually everything.

Just recently, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib disclosed that the recent release of water from the Cameroon Lagdo Dam will cause more disasters downstream of Nigeria.

Taraba state is one of the states listed to be affected. Others include Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Adamawa.

It is still unclear if the released water from the Cameroon Lagdo Dam is the reason for the flood or the usual downpour.


Channels/Adebukola Aluko
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Environment

ORBDA Warns of Massive Flooding

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By Adebola Ajayi 

The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority,  ORBDA, has urged people at downstream Ogun River to be at alert over the predicted flooding associated with heavy rain in the months of September and December.

The Managing Director of ORBDA, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu in a statement advised all stakeholders to take every step necessary to mitigate the Predicted Seasonal Flooding.

Otunba Odumosu encouraged people to enlarge small and inadequate drainage systems, construct more drainages to contain excess runoff, stop using river channel as waste dumps, ensure strict enforcement of regulations banning buildings in flood-prone areas, among other measures.

According to him, ORBDA will ensure that its Water Releases are regulated without compromising the Oyan Dam integrity, and in consideration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ letter to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, about the opening of Flood Gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in Cameroon.

Environment

Floods Alert for States amidst Heavy Rainfall

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The Federal Government has advised state governments to prepare against floods following an increase in the volume of flow along River Benue.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.

“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has noted an increase in the volume of flow along the River Benue system, registering a flow level of 8.97m as of today.

“This is compared to a flow level of 8.80m on the same date in 2022. Meanwhile, the flow level on the River Niger system remains stable, with the level of the River Niger at Niamey, Niger Republic, standing at a normal level of 4.30m.

“Reports from inland dams, including Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro, also indicate a consistent flow regime,” Utsev said.

The minister said it was important for states to prepare since the country was already witnessing heavy rainfall.

 He added, “In light of the aforementioned factors, it is imperative for all levels of government – federal, state, and local – to heighten the level of preparedness and deploy appropriate measures to minimise the potential impact of flooding during the peak of the rainy season.

“There should be sensitisation of the general public by the states on the need for people living along the river banks to relocate to higher grounds during this peak period of rainfall. States and local governments should intensify efforts in clearing blocked drainages and also construct new ones where they do not exist.

While advocating the removal of illegal structures constructed within the floodplains, he urged the general public, especially road users, to desist from walking or driving through any pool of water or flood.

He, however, noted that “as at today, there is no threat to lives and properties, especially those states that are contiguous to Rivers Niger and Benue.”

On the situation at Lokoja, the minister stated that despite the heightened flow volume along the River Benue system, the flow situation at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in Lokoja, Kogi State, remained within normal parameters.

“The flow level at the monitoring station downstream of the confluence records 7.8m today, compared to 8.24m on the same date in 2022.”

Recognising Nigeria’s downstream position in relation to the nine-member countries of the Niger River Basin, Utsev said it was important to acknowledge the period of heavy rainfall, flooding, and flood-related disasters that typically occurred in July, August, September, and October.

He added, “Dam water releases are integral to safeguarding dam integrity and mitigating flooding in adjacent communities.

“NIHSA has, however, maintained a professional and organisational relationship with Cameroon’s National Hydrological Services to exchange information on water releases.”

The minister said there was no immediate threat of flooding, calling on the government at all levels to put measures in place to prevent flood emergencies.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Environment

Adeleke Empathises with Residents as Flood Ravages Ikire

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By Adenitan Akinola/Funmi Adekoya

Properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed as massive flood hit Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, on Saturday.

It was gathered that a heavy downpour witnessed in the community led to the flooding.

 The rain according to report started around 8am on Saturday and lasted several hours.

The affected areas in the town included; Oja-Ale, Atoto, Naira and Kobo junction, Fulani, Mateba, UNIOSUN Road, Campus area and many others.

The flood was reported to have sacked over 100 residents, shops, students hostels, destroyed farmlands and killed livestock among other things.

Some belongings of the victims including buses and other valuables were sighted floating on the water, as residents struggled to save their children from drowning.

Commuters on the Ikire – Ibadan express way were stranded as the flood restricted vehicular movements,while some vehicles that dared it got stuck in the flood.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has expressed his sympathy with the people of Ikire in the flood disaster that wrecked havoc in the town, assuring the people of his government’s commitment to address the root cause of the flood and the fast tracking of the ongoing state flood prevention plan.

In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said his administration had previously embarked on prevention actions and initiatives, citing the massive rainfall as cause of the sad event.

He said his administration had activated emergency measures to rescue people and livelihoods affected by the flood, assuring victims of the incident that the government will do all in its capacity to support them.

The Governor said he had directed the Commissioner for Environment to take necessary steps to address the root cause of the flooding so as to forestall future occurrence.

Governor Adeleke, who urged the people of Ikire and Osun to be rest assured that his government would mobilize every resources to confront flooding and keep them and their properties safe, advised them to stop the practice of dumping refuse on water ways among other factors that could cause flooding.

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Environment

Ogun Issues Flood Alert to Residents

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By Modupeola Sobukonla

Ogun State Government has issued flood alerts to residents highlighting that more than 23 communities are at risk of experiencing flash floods in view of the heavy rainfall predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET. 

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, who gave the warning at a news conference in Abeokuta warned the people against acts capable of hindering the free flow of water.

Mr Orekoya advised the residents to avoid erecting structures on waterways, illegal dredging of sand around streams, uncontrolled agricultural practices and non-adherence to travel advice during rainfall while urging those in flood-prone areas to relocate. 

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He explained that the State was expected to have two seasons of heavy rainfall this year, noting that some areas with prolonged impact in wetlands such as Isheri, Mowe, Kara and Ibafo were to experience coastal flooding from the tidal lock of the Ogun River by Lagos Lagoon due to natural rise in sea level and possible release of excessive water from the Oyan dam. 

In a reaction, the Managing Director, Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority, OORBDA, Mr Olufemi Odumosu said the organization would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to meet the challenges of flooding in Ogun and other neighbouring states, promising that residents would be duly informed ahead of time for the release of water from the dam.

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Environment

Abiodun Solicits FG’s Support in Mitigating Effects of Flood

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Ogun state government has solicited the assistance of the federal government in its flood mitigation programme especially in providing concrete lining on all its secondary erosion trunks.

Governor Dapo Abiodun made the call when he received the Presidential Technical Committee on Flood who are on a fact finding mission to the state in Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, explained that the concrete lining would increase the hydrodynamics of the secondary trunks which he said were constantly dredged by the state government thereby preventing flooding especially in the urban areas.

While stating that flooding in the state could be traced to urban and coastal, the governor pointed out that the present administration since its inception in 2019 had put measures in place to manage and mitigate it.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari led government for his bottom-up approach to solving the flooding problems across the country.

Responding, the Leader of the Presidential Committee, Dr Godstime James said the committee was in the state to look at areas often affected by flood with a view of finding lasting solution to them adding that their reports would be submitted to the federal government for appropriate action.

The Presidential Committee members were later taken to all flood affected areas as well as drainage and canal sites in the three senatorial areas of the state for on the spot assessment.

Olusegun Folarin

Environment

Lagos Building Sinks, Nine Escape Death

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Nine yet-to-be-identified ladies who were trapped when a storey building around Akinwunmi Street, Mende, in the Maryland area of Lagos State, sunk due to torrential rainfall were rescued on Monday.

The Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development in a statement.

He said the agency’s officials were deployed to rescue the victims after receiving a distress call about the emergency.

Details later.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Environment

Flood: NOA Engages Community Leaders, Farmers

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Community leaders and farmers in Ogun State are being engaged by the National Orientation Agency, NOA as part of efforts to ensure a positive response to experts’ predictions on flood disasters in the country. 

Addressing the participants in Abeokuta, the State Director of NOA, Mr Kolawole Obadina said the Stakeholders Engagement was aimed at encouraging the residents to keep abreast of the latest weather forecast, with a view to averting impending dangers from the hazardous effects of climate change.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent, Olusegun Folarin has the rest of the story

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Foreign

41 dead, millions stranded as floods hit Bangladesh, India

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Monsoon storms in Bangladesh and India have killed at least 41 people and unleashed devastating floods that left millions of others stranded, officials said on Saturday.

Floods are a regular menace to millions of people in low-lying Bangladesh, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency, ferocity and unpredictability.

Relentless downpours over the past week have inundated vast stretches of Bangladesh’s northeast, with troops deployed to evacuate households cut off from neighbouring communities.

Schools have been turned into relief shelters to house entire villages inundated in a matter of hours by rivers that suddenly burst their banks.

“The whole village went under water by early Friday and we all got stranded,” said Lokman, whose family lives in Companiganj village.

“After waiting a whole day on the roof of our home, a neighbour rescued us with a makeshift boat. My mother said she has never seen such floods in her entire life,” the 23-year-old added.

Asma Akter, another woman rescued from the rising waters, said her family had not been able to eat for two days.

“The water rose so quickly we couldn’t bring any of our things,” she said. “And how can you cook anything when everything is underwater?”

Lightning triggered by the storms has killed at least 21 people around the South Asian nation since Friday afternoon, police officials told AFP.

Among them were three children aged between 12 and 14 who were struck by lightning on Friday in the rural town of Nandail, said local police chief Mizanur Rahman.

Another four people died when landslides hit their hillside homes in the port city of Chittagong, police inspector Nurul Islam told AFP.

At least 16 people have been killed since Thursday in India’s remote Meghalaya, the state’s chief minister Conrad Sangma wrote on Twitter, after landslides and surging rivers that submerged roads.

Next door in Assam state, more than 1.8 million people have been affected by floods after five days of incessant downpours.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters he had instructed district officials to provide “all necessary help and relief” to those caught in the flooding.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Environment

Video: Flood Takes over Houses in Ibadan

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The heavy rain recorded on Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday in some parts of Ibadan has sacked some residents of Odo Ona area of Ibadan from their homes.

Radio Nigeria Ibadan who monitored the situation said that while some residents were able to flee their residences before the flood took over their homes while some were still trapped in their houses.

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-1.mp4
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https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/VID-20220615-WA0008.mp4

As at the time of filing this report, members of the public have begun rescue mission of the trapped residents.

Full Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/nLxl75kRE4g?feature=share

Femi Daramola/Olaolu Fawole /Oluwayemisi Owonikoko / Olutola Daramola

Environment

UPDATED: Residents Flee as Flood Sacks Communities In Ibadan

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The heavy rain of Tuesday 14th June 2022 evening, has sent many residents of Fatimo Area of Odo -Ona in Ibadan out of their homes.

According to our correspondent, many residents could not spend the night in their houses as the area was flooded due to the downpour which lasted till late Tuesday night.

It was also gathered that the bridge leading to NIHORT was overflooded.

Ibadan has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past few days.

The story is not different at the Odo-Ona Kekere area of Oluyole Local Government where rivers overflowed their banks.

Also, residents of Ariyibi Area, Apete, in Ido local government, Oyo state are having hard times reaching their homes. This was as a result of the deplorable condition of Ayegun-Apete-Olomo-Moniya road which is usually flooded when it rains.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the road which connected them to other parts of Oyo state is affecting their livelihood as they remain helpless in finding solution to the problem.

According to the Chairman, Landlord Association Olomo, Apete, Mr Zakariyah Oladele, all the residents in the area have tried their best in fixing the road but the efforts had not yielded fruitful results.

Mr Oladele appealed to Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to assist in rehabilitating the road to reduce their suffering.

Two of the residents in the area, Mrs TItilayo Oloko and Mr Mufutau Salau lamented their hardship and losses recorded on the road.

They claimed that many people have been injured on the road as result of bad state.

Nafiu Busari/Olutola Daramola

Foreign

Flood Leaves Two Dead, Thousands Displaced in Cuba

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At least two people have died in Cuba’s capital, Havana, after the remnants of Hurricane Agatha brought heavy rain and floods to the Caribbean island.

The Cuban weather service said the downpours would last until Saturday afternoon, bringing more than 20cm (8in) of rain to some places.

Western and central areas of the country, including Havana, are the worst affected.

Hurricane Agatha hit Mexico last Monday, killing nine people.

Nearly 2,000 people have evacuated their homes in Havana, and around 50,000 people in and around the city are without electricity.

Evacuation centres have been prepared to shelter people from the rain, the state-affiliate Cuban News Agency reported.

The storm is the remnant of Hurricane Agatha, which hit Mexico’s west coast last week killing nine people. It was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the country during the month of May.

The weather system has now moved north-east towards the Gulf of Mexico, and is likely to become the first named tropical storm of the season. It is expected to bring heavy rain to the US state of Florida.

Cuba is no stranger to hurricanes, but climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of the powerful storms.

In 2019, amendments were made to the Cuban constitution which commit the government to confronting climate change, recognising it as a threat to the survival of the human species.

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

Environment

‘Save Our Soul’: Residents of Ejigbo Cry Out to Gov. Oyetola as Flood Ravages Community

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Habitants of Oke-Padi, Ola road, Ejigbo in Osun State have made a ‘Save Our Soul’ cry to the State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola over their community which has been badly affected by heavy rain.

The habitants, in a message to the Governor, said if urgent intervention was not made, their community would soon be swept away by flood.

They appealed to Governor Oyetola to come to their rescue as they were no longer safe, while also lamenting that flooding had paralysed all activities in the community.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Environment

Flood: Ogun Govt. Warns Residents To Relocate

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Ogun State Government has advised residents in flood prone areas to temporarily relocate to avoid major flood disaster following the Federal government’s warning of impending flood in Ogun and other states.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun who stated this in Abeokuta, revealed that no fewer than forty communities in ten local government areas of the state were  at the risk of flood.

Mr. Abudu-Balogun noted that the advice became imperative following the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET), 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, which included Ogun as one of the states to be affected by the flood.

He noted that the advice became imperative following the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET), 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, which included Ogun as one of the states to be affected by the flood.

The commissioner listed the local government areas to include Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ifo, Obafemi Owode, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South , Ogun Waterside and Ijebu East.  
He said that the state had marked illegal structures built on waterways for demolition, adding that these structures would soon be demolished by the government.

Mr. Abudu-Balogun blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water channels and building of illegal structures on waterways as the major causes of flooding and added that the government had embarked on dredging of rivers and clearing of canals across the state while asking residents of flood prone areas to relocate to safer locations as part of efforts to prevent disasters. 

He disclosed that the state in the last one year had arrested and prosecuted one hundred and twenty eight offenders for indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways and other environmental offences.

The commissioner emphasized that enforcement of environmental laws would be more intense, noting that violators would be sanctioned appropriately with the view to improving the residents’ attitude to environmental safety. 

Oluremi Olugbenro /Wale Oluokun

Environment

Flood: NEMA Takes Sensitization Campaign to Communities

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In an effort to avoid flood-related disasters in flash points areas in Oyo State, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has taken its sensitization campaign to four communities in Lagelu and Egbeda local governments.

The campaign was borne out of the prediction of the Nigeria Meterological Agency, NIMET of heavy rainfalls in September and October this year.

Our correspondent, Mosope Kehinde, who was on the sensitization team, reports that the campaign was in collaboration with the state emergency management agency, National Orientation Agency, Red Cross, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other stakeholders.

His report

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Environment

Flood Causes Havoc in Kaura Namoda

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The ancient city of Kaura Namoda and it environs in Zamfara State is facing the threat of flooding.

A community group in the area known as Kaura Namoda Empowerment and Development (KANEDEF) who stated this in a statement signed by its spokesman Abdulrazak Bello said, all the authorities concern need to do the needful to save lives and property of residents through enlightenment, counselling and directives, especially to those living around riverine areas.

According to the statement, Officials of KANEDEF who visited the River Gagare in the early hours of (Friday), and saw  the quantity of the water therein, the destruction which led to overflow, hence the need for urgent action to salvage people of the town from the hazardous situation.

On his part, the officer in charge of Nigeria Merological Agency, Gusau Office, Mr. Muhammad Garba informed Radio Nigeria that, the Agency had earlier issued flood warning to people of Maru, Gusau, Gummi, Shinkafi, Tsafe and Zurmi Local Government Areas including their neighboring towns which Kaura Namoda is among them.  He therefore urged residents living in the riverine areas to vacate for their safety.

The River Gagagare is the major River that crossed the city of Kaura Namoda moving towards north with a velocity depending on the amount of water it carries. 

The width of the River is almost a Kilometer or over which virtually expands annually.

Abdulrazak Kaura

Environment

NEMA Urges Residents in Flood-Prone Areas to Relocate

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The National Emergency Management Agency has expressed preparedness to mitigate impact of floods this year.

The Director General of the Agency, Retired Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Muhammad gave the indication at a news conference in Abuja.

Rainfall predictions for this year according to relevant authorities including the Nigeria Meteorological and Hydrological Services Agencies indicate that 102 local government areas in 28 states of the federation fall within highly probable flood risk areas.

275 local government areas in all the states of the federation and the FCT are predicted to be moderately flooded while the remaining 397 local government areas are predicted to experience low floods.

The predictions are expected to have impact of critical sectors such as agriculture, water resources, transportation, health and other infrastructure.

More worrisome is the fact that, the nation will have to grapple with the floods amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which is taken a toll on the country and other countries across the globe.

It is against this impending disaster that the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Retired Air Vice Marshal, Muhammadu Muhammad said the agency was taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of this year’s floods.

Air Vice Marshal Muhammad also said relief materials were being stock piled to provide succour to victims of the impending floods.

The Director General of NEMA appealed to all stakeholders including Governors, local authorities and those living in flood prone areas to cooperate with the agency by replicating measures at the state and local levels and relocating them to safer grounds, to reduce the impact of the impending disaster.

Tersoo Zamber  

Environment

Several flood mitigation projects to be completed in the next 18 months – Makinde

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Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has promised to complete several ongoing flood management projects across the state within the next eighteen months to reduce challenges of flooding.

He gave the pledge during an on-the-spot assessment of communities affected by the heavy rainfall which caused flooding in some part of Ibadan, destroyed properties worth millions of naira while some were rendered homeless.

Governor Makinde explained that the state government had commenced work on proper channelization, better drainage system, construction of necessary bridges and ensuring that no structure blocks waterways in accordance with the Ibadan City Master Plan. 

Governor Makinde stressed the need for residents to imbibe necessary safety behavior by not blocking drainages with waste and building structures that disrupt free flow of water. 

According to the governor, instructions had been given to the state Ministry of Public Works to commence immediate evaluation of public properties destroyed and fix them.

The governor was accompanied by the officials of the state Ministry of Public Works, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, Oyo state Emergency Management Agency and visited Iwo Road, Olodo, Onipepeye, amongst other places affected by the rain.

Iyabo Adebisi

Environment

Flood Management: Desist from dumping refuse into drains – Environmental Expert

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As Nigerians continue to experience more rainfall, residents of Ibadan have been told to desist from dumping their waste into the drains and rivers that are around the ancient city.

An Environmental and Water Resources Management expert, Professor Grace Oloukoi gave the warning while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the dangers associated with indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains during the raining season.

Professor Oloukoi explained that flooding had over the years been an outcome of people using rainfall as opportunity to dump refuse into gutters and rivers.

She said aside from human resources and farmland destroyed by flood, residential buildings in flood-prone areas are also deserted by owners due to poor management of erosion.

The Environmental and Water Resources expert who is also a senior lecturer at Lead City University, Ibadan implored Nigerians to have an attitudinal change towards waste disposal methods for the safety of all.

Professor Oloukoi also called on government agencies to monitor compliance with proper waste disposal by residents so as to minimise effect of flooding in the state.

Rotimi Famakin

Environment

Oyo Government Sensitizes Oke-Ogun Residents on Climate Change

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In a bid to prevent flooding, Oyo State government has taken a sensitization campaign to the Oke-Ogun area of the state as part of its efforts in stemming the effects of global warming in the area.

About 75% of charcoal production in Oyo State is from Oke-Ogun area which were for export or domestic use but with direct effect on the climate, as trees were felled to produce charcoal.

The state government over the weekend, organized the awareness campaign program to call the attention of residents of the area to the effects of deforestation due to felling of woods for industrial purpose, saying the government was poised to do all it could, to reduce risks caused by these commercial activities.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan who disclosed this at the One Day Sensitization Program held at Saki, Saki West Local Government, said the present administration has been factoring disaster risk reduction into her developmental strides, so as to curb loss of lives and properties to natural disaster.

The deputy governor who was represented by the Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Agency (OYSEMA), Alhaji Luqmon Aransi urged the people of Oke-Ogun to imbibe the culture of safety and work together alongside the state government to avert disasters.

Iyabo Adebisi