Abuja – The Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted  downpour between now and Aug. 19, which might cause flooding in 14 states.

This is contained in a release issued on Saturday in Abuja by Dr Morohunkeji Oyeleke, the Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department of the Ministry.

Oyeleke said that some of the states and their environs might be adversely affected if  necessary precautionary  measures were not taken.

She identified areas that could be affected to include Demsa, Nunman, Jimeta, Mayo, Belwa, Mubi and Song, all in Adamawa and Langtang, Shelleng, Shandam and Wase in Plateau.

Others were Gada, Goronyo and Shinkafi in Sokoto State; Gumel, Hadeija, Miga and Mallam Fatori in Jigawa; as well as Bama, Briyel, Damasak, Dikwa, Geidam, Ngala, and Kukawa in Borno.

She also listed Nafada in Gombe State; Anka, Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega and Kamba all in Kebbi State.

Also listed among the flood prone areas were Gashua, Potiskum, Dapchi, Kanama and Machina in Yobe and Bali, Gembu, Ibi, Lau, Wukari and Mutum Biyu in Taraba.

Also to be affected are Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Moniya, Ojoo, Eruwa, Odo Ora, Ibadan and Oyo town all in Oyo State and Kaura, Maru, Gusau and Namoda in Zamfara.

Others were Gezawa, Gwarzo, Karaye, Wudil and Kano all in Kano State and Azare, Bajoga, Jamaare, Kari and Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State and Bakori, Bindawa, Daura, Jibiya and Katsina and Funtua, all in Kastina State.

The deputy director appealed to the governments of the affected states to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid loss of lives and property. (NAN)