Flood: Anxiety in states as rainfall intensifies
Residents of many Nigerian communities are living in fear over persistent downpour resulting in widespread flooding.
In Lagos, Yenagoa, Gusau and other cities, motorists and commuters are groaning under the weight of the discomfort imposed by gridlocks engendered by floods.
Residents of flood-prone communities on the banks of rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean are apprehensive of the disruption perennial flooding could cause their economic lives.
Only yesterday, a downpour in Gusau, Zamfara State capital, disrupted commercial activities and preventing traders, workers and students from moving around.
The heavy rain, which began in the early hours of Friday, lasted several hours, leading to serious flooding on many roads and adversely affecting many farmlands.
No fewer than 12 local government areas in Imo State have suffered severe damages as a result of floods, prompting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to alert residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for emergency.
The affected local government areas include Nkwerre LGA, Aboh Mbaise, Ideato North, Ohaji Egbema, Oguta, Ngor Okpalla, Oru East, Orsu, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma, Nwangele, and Ezinihitte Mbaise.
Based on past experiences, many residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital have turned into prayer warriors with their supplications centred on averting another flood this year.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had on Tuesday predicted heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms in many states and the Federal Capital Territory from Wednesday to Friday.Among such states are Lagos, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe.
Others are Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Ogun, Abia, Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.