Nigeria launches web-based early warning system for floods

Afrique en ligne: Determined to combat the adverse effect of climate change for sustainable development, food security and well being of the people, the Nigerian government has launched an automated web-based Early Warning System (EWS) which could also be used in dealing with the destructive effects of persistent flooding in the country.

The system was developed by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is designed to forewarn Nigerians on the likelihood of flooding, thereby providing effective solution that would enhance the operations of relevant institutions and also reduce the rate of damage caused by flood.

Launching the project Tuesday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said that “the global climate change has brought about increased disastrous flood occasioned by torrential rainfall and rise in river and sea levels.”

But he stated that the international community was strategizing to ensure that the effects were largely contained on a long term basis. Anyim regretted that “several urban areas in Nigeria have experienced disturbing human, physical and economic devastation brought about by flood in recent times. The annual flooding experienced in most part of the country have caused agonizing human suffering and the destruction of residential, agricultural, huge economic and industrial resources."...