Heavy rains: NEMA warns of plane crashes, bridge collapse

The National Emergency Management Agency on Thursday warned that the country could witness plane crashes and bridge collapse due to heavy rains in some area and flash floods that might wash away runways.
The agency also said the above-normal rainfall could lead to the erosion of roads which would hinder the movement of people and goods across the country.
The Director-General of NEMA, Ahmed Habib, gave the indication in Abuja at the presentation of the 2021 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook.
He said, “Squall lines, thunderstorm, wind shear, microburst, flash floods can affect runways, thereby disrupting landing and take-off of aircraft, causing a delay in flights, affecting sensors along runways and can lead to plane crashes in some cases.”
He also spoke on the impact of the rains on other infrastructure, saying, “Flooding due to the predicted above-normal rainfall could erode roads and bridges which could hinder the movement of people, goods and services.
“Jetties may also be washed away which would result in economic loss.”
The DG, however, said the document presented would help in the mapping out of communities at risk and safe locations for the setting up of temporary shelters.
Habib also said the document would enable relevant agencies to plan for stockpiling of relief materials for timely intervention to persons that would be affected by floods and other disasters.
According to him, the document contains recommendations targeted at guiding decision makers at all levels of governments to avert adverse consequences, mitigate disaster risk, safeguard food security.
The 2021 Annual Flood Outlook earlier released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicted that 121 local government areas in 27 states including the FCT would fall within highly probable risk areas in the country.