Following a flood alert in eight local government areas, the Bauchi State government has constructed internally displaced persons camps (IDPs) to cater for victims of the envisaged flood disaster this year.
In 2022, flooding killed 29 people; 2,934 others were affected in 250 different locations spreading across the 20 local government areas of the state. Similarly, 8,457 houses were destroyed, 4,500 farmlands submerged, 32 people were injured and 26 roads cut off.
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The director-general of Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) Dr Kabir Ibrahim disclosed this in an interview in his office.
He said as part of the proactive strategies to reduce the burden of the effects of flooding on citizens, the Bauchi State government constituted a steering committee on flood to map out modalities and solutions for the affected eight local government areas in the state.
He said the state government has set up a high-powered flood committee to map out a strategy towards mitigating the flooding in line with NiMET this year’s rain prediction in 8 LGAs of the state.
“We received a letter from the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET) on 25th April 2023 notifying the Bauchi State government that about 8 local government areas are likely to be flooded and immediately form a committee on flood to came up with modalities and solutions in affected eight communities,” he said.
The DG said the committee comprises of experts from BASEPA, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and ministries of works, housing and environment respectively.
Ibrahim said the committee has already embarked on sensitisation and advocacy programmes through radio and television with a view to educating and enlightening the people especially those in flash points on safety measures and prevention against this year’s flooding.
Dr Kabir, however, called on the people of the state to desist from dumping refuse inside the drainage or culverts as well as stop building houses along river banks and waterways to avoid becoming victims of the flooding.
NiMET predicted heavy and light floods this year in eight local government areas of Bauchi State including Bauchi, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Gamawa, Itas Gadau, Giade, Jama’are and Zaki.