The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its zonal offices and operations centres in 15 states following a flood risk warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The alert identified Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia as areas facing a high risk of riverine flooding due to rising water levels in rivers.
NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, directed the agency’s offices covering the affected states to activate their emergency preparedness measures and step up monitoring of communities considered vulnerable to flooding.
She also ordered closer coordination with state and local authorities, State Emergency Management Agencies and other response organisations to ensure prompt action if the situation deteriorates.
Umar advised residents living along riverbanks, floodplains, low-lying communities and other flood-prone areas to take the warning seriously and move to safer, elevated locations before conditions become dangerous.
She called for particular attention to children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities during evacuation and other emergency measures.
The NEMA DG also urged state and local governments in the affected areas to activate their emergency plans and pre-position relief supplies and response equipment at safe locations. These include food and non-food items, potable water, water-treatment materials, medical and first-aid supplies, as well as rescue equipment.
Umar said early preparedness and timely action were essential to limiting the impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She further urged residents to cooperate with emergency authorities and follow evacuation instructions when issued. Residents were also warned against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water on foot or in vehicles.
NEMA said it would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with NIHSA, state emergency agencies and other stakeholders, while keeping response teams on standby to provide assistance where necessary.
