By Cheta Enyoghasi
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged states in the country’s central and southern regions to prepare for impending floods that may harm downstream towns.
According to a statement made public on Thursday in Abuja by NEMA Director-General Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the states involved includes Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
She said the alarm was issued in response to the recent flood that affected several towns in mentioned states, as well as rising water levels in the Benue and Niger rivers.
She added that it is crucial to prevent the extent of losses already documented in affected areas and that it has become urgent to mobilize the state, local government authorities, and communities to take the required steps to protect against the risk of floods.
Among the steps that needed to be done, according to Umar, were building temporary flood barriers, clearing obstructed drainages as soon as possible, and forcing people to evacuate flood plains and seek refuge on higher ground.
The DG encouraged residents to heed to the provided flood warnings and weather updates by The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Her words: “Residents are advised to avoid crossing flooded areas, relocate from flood-prone zones, and cooperate with local emergency services.
“We urge all residents, especially in vulnerable areas, to heed our warnings and take immediate preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.
“Preparedness is key in reducing the impact of flooding”.
