The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has predicted flooding in nine local government areas in Benue.

NEMA’s director-general, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during the Downscaling of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions in the State.

“These LGAs under high and moderate flood risk areas include Buruku, Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Tarka, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande and Katsina-Ala,” she said.

However, she said three LGAs, Bururku, Makurdi, and Guma, would be the most hit.

Represented by Air Commodore Kennedy Mataluwo, the NEMA boss said the flood may impact 31 states in Nigeria, with 148 LGAs being predicted to be within the high-risk areas.

She stated that 35 States, including FCT with 249 LGAs, are considered to fall within the moderate flood-risk areas, while the remaining 377 LGAs are forecasted as low flood-risk areas.

The DG explained that these flood risk areas were presented with their degree of vulnerability to serve as a tool for the government at all levels to develop risk reduction measures to avert disaster during the rainy season.

She urged Nigerians to take actions that would drastically reduce the adverse impacts of floods on the entire landscape and the population, especially for most vulnerable persons living in communities at risk of flooding.

Governor Hyacient Alia commended NEMA and said the State would constitute a “Technical Committee” on flood for effective action.

Represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Joseph Alakali, he said flood history has shown that about 17 LGAs may be affected by this year’s flood.

Earlier, the acting executive secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, said 17 LGAs were prone to flooding in the State.

Mr Iorpuu said Makurdi and Buruku had recently witnessed heavy flash floods.

He said SEMA has already procured 45 live jackets to be donated to Buruku LG for a rescue mission following the growing water level increase in River Katsina-Ala.

He said more jackets needed to be donated to Agatu LGA for the same usage.

(NAN)