The director-general of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Mohammed has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enhanced water monitoring systems to reduce flood impacts in Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement released on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Abuja.
According to the statement, NIHSA is intensifying efforts to monitor both surface and groundwater reserves, aiming to meet international best practices in flood prevention. This year’s severe floods, primarily due to excessive rainfall and climate change, highlighted the urgent need for improved early warning systems.
The agency is conducting a national survey of major rivers and tributaries to identify key areas for monitoring, which will strengthen NIHSA’s flood prediction capabilities starting next year. Mohammed noted that with the seasonal cessation of rain in the northern and central parts of the country, water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers have begun receding below flood level.
He emphasised that flooding incidents have significantly reduced, but NIHSA plans to carry out intervention studies in some affected states to understand why floodwaters recede slowly. These findings will inform future flood prevention measures. The DG also extended his gratitude to Nigerians and stakeholders for their role in safeguarding lives and properties during the recent flooding challenges.
