BY Laide Akinboade
ABUJA—Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Thursday, predicted massive flooding and erosion in some parts of the country, especially the coastal zone and river catchment areas later in the year.

Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, who disclosed this at the public presentation of 2012 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, 2012 SRP, in Abuja, said it was imperative for the Federal Government to create awareness in order to reduce damages and loss of lives and properties.

He said: “For hydrological and water resources sector, this implies adequate water and stream-flows which may affect the dam storage for municipal water supply, hydropower generation and irrigation.

“Development and regular maintenance of dams for dry season irrigation and water supply should be accorded high priority.

“However, episodic flooding and erosion in the coastal zone and river catchment areas maybe inevitable and as such, adequate publicity is highly recommended in order to reduce damages and risk of loss of life and property, especially in areas prone to river bank overflows.”

He said normal rainfall might result in flash flooding, particularly in the northern states, adding that wet spells and flash floods could occur, even in areas with a likelihood of near normal to below normal rainfall.

Anuforo said flash floods might lead to physical damage to crops in the field; agricultural equipment and structures, such as dams; infrastruc-ture such as roads, railway lines, telecom-munication networks, loss of lives and displacement of large population due to disruption of agricultural activities as a result of extreme weather conditions.