African meteorologists predict flooding in Nigeria, African countries

The African Centre for Meteorological Application for Development has predicted that some parts of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea will be affected by flooding this year.
This was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja on Wednesday, signed by Papa Oumar Dieye, the Communications Officer of the Agromet Regional Centre in Niamey, Niger.
The communiqué was issued after the 16th Regional Climate Outlook Forum for 18 African countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was attended by 16 West African countries as well as Chad and Cameroon.
The theme of the forum is “Risk Management in Agriculture, Water Resources and Health.”
According to the communiqué, Nigeria was advised to develop seasonal, characteristics and hydro agro-climatologist forecasts for the 2013 rainy season.
The report noted that the forecast would help determine applications for food security and management of water resources.
According to the communiqué, due monitoring and updating of daily regional climate will be conducted by experts to monitor the weakness of climate factors that may lead to flooding.
The floods, according to predictions, may occur especially between June and July.
According to communiqué, the ACMAD forecast for West Africa, Chad and Cameroon covers the following major river basins: Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Comoé, Volta, Ouémé and Lake Chad.
For 2013, the expected situation of major West African river basins, Chad and Cameroon is as follows: River Senegal: excess to normal flows are expected.
For River Gambia, normal flows are expected while for River Volta, average to excess flows are expected.
For River Niger, average to excess flows are expected in the upper and middle part of the Niger River Basin, while in the lower part of the basin (Nigerian section) probabilities of excess flows are expected.
In the Lake Chad Basin, normal to excess flows are expected throughout the basin and for River Comoé: normal flows are expected while for River Ouémé: excess to normal flows are expected for the entire basin.
According to the communiqué: “With these forecasts, there is a risk of heavy rain which can cause flooding, severe damages, including loss of cultivated areas.
“These conditions are also favourable for the breeding of pests, including weeds, grasshoppers and other pests for which monitoring and prevention measures should be strengthened.
“The forecasts are likely to change during the rainy season. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to follow the updates that will be made in June and July by ACMAD and national meteorological services.”
ACMAD stated that the affected regions should ensure efficient flood routing in the dams and reservoirs to prevent downstream flooding and taking all necessary steps on surplus flows.
The group urged governments in the region to take the issue of flood risk seriously in monitoring areas with high risk of flooding, due to local rainfall or overflow of rivers.
ACMAD also advised governments to raise awareness among people exposed to the risk, and policy makers, should take all necessary measures to mitigate the impacts of future flooding.
The group further advised farmers to give preference to early or medium varieties where the seedlings have not yet been planted and to increase the area under crops in high yield potential or cash crops.
ACMAD also urged governments to provide the recommended quantities of fertilisers and observe proper techniques to avoid leaching, avoid coarse grains such as millet, sorghum and maize in favour of upland rice.
It recommended increased vigilance against pests and weeds and called for reforestation increased campaigns.
The group also called for increase in vaccination campaign for animal husbandry, especially those dealing in livestock and poultry, and increased monitoring of animals to prevent drowning.
It advised farmers to adhere strictly to trans-human corridors to avoid conflicts, increase forage and replenish essential stock feed and provide adequate sites for the enclosure to protect the animals.
It will be recalled that last year, water released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon flooded areas in Nigeria which led to loss of lives and property worth of millions of naira.