The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has directed state and local authorities in 15 flood-prone states to pre-position relief and emergency response materials as rising river levels increase the risk of flooding.
The directive followed a high flood-risk advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), warning of possible riverine flooding in Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia states.
NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, also directed the agency’s Zonal Directorates and Operations Offices covering the affected areas to remain on standby and activate existing preparedness mechanisms.
In a statement by the agency’s Press Unit, Umar instructed NEMA offices to maintain close coordination with relevant authorities and response stakeholders while monitoring developments in vulnerable communities.
She further directed state and local government authorities to identify safe locations on higher ground and pre-position essential relief materials to enable rapid intervention if flooding occurs.
The materials are expected to include food and non-food items, safe drinking water, water-treatment supplies, first-aid and medical materials, as well as rescue equipment.
Umar urged communities located on floodplains, riverbanks and low-lying areas to take the warning seriously and relocate to identified safe and higher ground before conditions become critical.
She called for special attention to vulnerable groups, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
The NEMA boss stressed that early preparedness could reduce the impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She also urged residents to cooperate with emergency management authorities and comply with evacuation directives whenever they are issued.
Umar cautioned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water either on foot or in vehicles.
She advised communities in the affected states to continue monitoring official flood alerts and updates from relevant government agencies as the situation develops.
