One of the flyover bridges across Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriage expressway in Enugu State has collapsed with no casualty.

The bridge, which collapsed on Monday morning, is located at kilometer one section of the expressway which lies between the Naira Triangle and the New Artisan axis of Enugu metropolis.

The incident had forced motorists plying the expressway to divert to alternative routes within the metropolis to continue their journey.

Police operatives, officials of the Federal and Enugu State Ministries of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FEMA) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were sighted within the area to access the situation and assist road users.

An eyewitness, John Nwokobia, said there was no casualty as artisans and street hawkers were yet to come out from their homes for the day’s activities when the incident happened.

The witness however noted that commuters on axis of are likely to encounter serious gridlock as a result of the collapsed bridge in coming days.

The police, Federal or state governments are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of this report. (NAN)

• Says 12 states to experience above normal rainfall from August to October

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning over an impending high level of flood across six states of the country.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu said “we are present in every part of Nigeria and we receive weather conditions per minute across the country.

“We ran an SPI analysis which determines the soil moisture because the soil moisture condition is a factor that influences the dryness or wetness of the soil.”

He explained that “over-dryness of the soil could lead to drought, while over-wetness of the soil could lead to flooding. The recent analysis we have carried out in the last 48 hours shows probable flood areas across the country.

“These are areas of high-level risk, they are central parts of Borno state, northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states, central parts of Kaduna state with a portion of Bayelsa and Delta state.”

Matazu disclosed further that other areas are also at risk but at a medium level. They include central parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, Western Kaduna, parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, and Taraba as well as southern Borno and Yobe states.

The DG further said that about 12 states are expected to experience above-normal rainfall from August to October in the 2022 rainy season.

According to him, the states are Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Bauch, much of Kebbi and Gombe as well as northern Kaduna and Adamawa.

He advised that State and National Emergency Management Agencies should intensify adaptation mitigation and response mechanism.

“States that are expected to experience varying degrees of flood episodes are advised to begin their awareness campaigns through field extension workers for possible activities especially at the high risk areas.

He advised that measures to prevent mud slide disasters by relevant authorities especially in the South and East part of the country should be put in place .

On the planting season, the Minister said the earliest onset of the planting season (beginning of planting activities) is expected about the 28th February, 2022 in the Coastal parts of the country while the onset of rainfall is expected to occur between April and May in the Central states, and eventually within June to July in the Northern states.

Sirika also said rainfall cessation dates across most parts of the county in 2022 is predicted to be near the long-term average conditions. The window between the Onset and cessation dates can be regarded as safe periods for the planting of various crops in accordance with their cropping calendars.

He said the growing season is predicted to last between 250-300 days in Southern parts of the country, and 100 to 200 days in the North.

“Noteworthy, are areas around Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa, and Rivers which are likely to experience shorter than normal length of growing season. However, prolonged length of growing season is anticipated in parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, and Imo States.

• NiMet DG highlights import of meteorology in agric, disaster management

Professor Matazu in his welcome address at the public presentation of the 2022 SCP meeting explained how the SCP has been an invaluable asset to farmers, improving their yields. It has also helped increase and improve the level of preparedness by Emergency Management Agencies, complement the flood prediction by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and served as an advisory tool for many stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

He said, “We are all living witnesses to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how many economies have struggled. In Nigeri, one of the pathways for economic recovery is agriculture. However, many of the agricultural practices are climate dependent and largely rainfed.

“It is important to recognize the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria on developing the Agricultural Sector for Sustainable Green Economy, focusing on food system development agenda that will lift hundred (100) million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade. The Government aims to prioritize healthy diets and affordable nutrition through inclusive, efficient, resilient, and sustainable agriculture which will contribute to job creations and sustainable economy growth.

He explained that it is NiMet’s responsibility to advise the government on all aspects of meteorology stressing,” We observe, collate, collect, process, and disseminate all meteorological data and information within and outside.”

On challenges of variability in climate with regards global warming, Professor Matazu said in recent times, this has given rise to high rainfall amounts occurring within a short duration and has made flash flood episodes more frequent.

He buttressed, “Several roads were decimated in 2021, among which are the Maiwa bridge, along Bauchi – Kano highway, Ningi local government area of Bauchi state, the single day rainfall event of 16th July 2021 over Lagos metropolis which flooded a large portion of Lagos Island including the popular Balogun market.

” Increased severity of dry spells episodes in parts of Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Nasarawa states. With such recurring extreme events, the SCP becomes a veritable tool to notify relevant stakeholders and emergency managers of the anticipated rainfall pattern within the season for necessary mitigation plans.”