By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Zubaida Umar, The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated the Agency’s Zonal Directorates and Operations Offices to be on standby following the high flood risk alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) for 15 states across the country.
A statement by the Press Unit indicates that flood advisory released by NIHSA forecasts a high risk of riverine flooding as a result of rising river levels in Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia States.
Following the advisory, Zubaida Umar directed NEMA offices covering the affected states to immediately activate existing preparedness mechanisms within their areas of responsibility, maintain close coordination with relevant authorities and response stakeholders, monitor developments in vulnerable locations, and remain prepared to support necessary response interventions.
The Director General urged residents of communities located on floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying areas and other exposed locations to take the warning seriously and move to identified safe and higher ground before flood conditions become critical.
She particularly advised that adequate attention be given to vulnerable persons, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
Zubaida Umar also called on relevant State and Local Government authorities to activate their emergency preparedness mechanisms and pre-position essential relief and response materials at safe strategic locations on higher ground to facilitate rapid intervention where necessary.
These should include food and non-food items, safe drinking water and water-treatment supplies, first-aid and medical supplies, as well as rescue equipment.
The Director General stressed the importance of early action in reducing the potential impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure. She urged communities to cooperate with emergency management authorities and comply with evacuation advisories whenever issued.
She also cautioned residents against crossing flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water, either on foot or in vehicles, and advised communities to continue monitoring official flood warnings and updates from relevant government agencies.
