Flood Alert, NEMA warns south and eastern states

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of Nigeria has issued a warning advising states in the North-central and southern regions to prepare for potential future floods that could affect communities downstream. This caution comes in light of rising water levels in the Rivers Benue and Niger and the recent floods that have devastated various states.

NEMA’s statement, released on Friday, highlighted that states likely to be impacted in the coming weeks include Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa. The agency emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of flooding and mitigate the severe consequences observed in recently affected areas, such as loss of lives, displacement, and significant property and infrastructure damage.

The statement also mentioned that NEMA is collaborating with state emergency management agencies and other stakeholders through the National Emergency Operations Centre at the agency’s headquarters to provide necessary support, including rescue and relief efforts.

Recommended actions include clearing blocked drains, constructing temporary flood barriers, and relocating from flood-prone areas to higher ground. NEMA urges communities to stay updated with weather forecasts and flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

In response, some states, like Bayelsa, have already begun taking steps to address the flood risk, such as using swamp buggies to clear obstructed water channels.