Ministry Predicts Flooding In 2 States

The Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted that two states, Sokoto and Oyo will witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding.

Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, the Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department in the ministry, made the prediction on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Oyeleke said that Ibadan and Iseyin in Oyo State and Sokoto and its environs were likely to experience heavy rainfall between September 8 and September 11, 2011.

She appealed to the governments of these two states and their commissioners for environment to take proactive steps to avoid loss of lives and properties.

“ We are advising Commissioners for Environment and the state governments to take the necessary action to prevent loss of lives and properties.

“If there is need to evacuate the people, they should do it fast.

“Forecasting is a probability; although it is very high, the important thing is for those in authority to take appropriate action,” she warned.

Oyeleke said that people living close to river banks and flood-prone areas should be evacuated.

“If there is any change in this forecast, we will also notify the public,” she said.

NAN reports that the Ministry of Environment recently installed Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) in one of its premises (‘Green Building’) in Abuja.

The system was installed to monitor and forewarn Nigerians on the likelihood of heavy rainfall, flooding and other catastrophe across the country.