At a one-day sensitization workshop on 2016 flood prediction/prevention and mitigation organized by the Agency at Halims Hotels, Lokoja.The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, (NIHSA) has said that 99 Local Government Areas in 30 states had been affected by flood, which also killed 29 persons so far.The Director General of NIHSA, Moses Beckley has said that the present flood situation in the country was alarming hence the need for the awareness programme to sensitize the people in the flood prone areas. Presently, flood has been recorded in 99 LGAs in 30 out of 34 States earlier predicted with a record of 29 deaths. “Two LGAs have been badly affected in Kaduna State; 9 in Niger; 4 in Nasarawa; 2 in Benue, and one in Edo, Jigawa, among other states.The Director General also said that river flooding is expected in Lokoja and its environs due to likely overflow of banks of Rivers Niger and Benue that is why this we have embarked on sensitization programme in Kogi. “Though Kogi is yet to be badly affected by the flood, it is vital that we put the people and all stakeholders on red alert to prevent or mitigate it effects, saying, the threat of major river flooding occasion by “Red Alert’’ from the Niger Basin Authority (NBS), Niamey, Niger Republic on August 4 has called for concern. The director, therefore, advised government at all levels to take structural measures of construction of reservoirs, earth dam, detention basins, buffer zones, and clearing of drains. Other measures include dredging and channelization of river channels, setting up of flood diversion areas and relocation of people in likely affected areas. “I urge all the relevant stakeholders to take this sensitization programme seriously because flood anticipation before they occur allows for precautions and adequate preparation.
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