Massive floods will sweep through many parts of the country between September and October, a federal government agency warned on Tuesday.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which gave the red alert, advised residents of flood-prone areas to begin relocation because heavy rains will precipitate the flooding leading to destruction of property and likely loss of lives.
Director-General of the agency, Mr. Clement Nze, explained that 275 local government areas of the 774 will be moderately hit by the flood while 102 councils will be worse-hit.
Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Edo and Kogi are on top of the list of states to witness major flooding.
The others are Ogun, Ekiti, Kwara, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.
All the local government areas in Lagos, except Epe and many parts of Ogun State, will be badly affected, the agency added.
NIHASA said governors of the states had been advised to begin immediate evacuation of residents in areas to be affected.
The NIHSA DG blamed the construction of houses on flood plains for the heavy flooding experienced in some parts of Abuja five days ago. (Nation)