The National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria (NEMA) has advised states in the North-central and southern regions to be prepared for future floods that could threaten communities downstream.
NEMA said the warning has become necessary due to rising water levels in the Rivers Benue and Niger and the recent flood that devastated many communities in several states.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency stated that the most probable states that could be affected in the next few weeks are Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers and Bayelsa.
The statement added that the advice has become essential to the states, local government authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate the risk of flooding and avoid the scale of losses recorded so far in areas that have been impacted, including loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant damage to property and infrastructures.
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The statement further added that NEMA is working closely with state emergency management agencies and other relevant stakeholders through the National Emergency Operations Centre situated in the Agency’s headquarters to ensure that necessary support, including rescue and relief operations is available to affected communities.
Some of the actions to be taken include immediate clearing of blocked drainages, construction of temporary flood barriers and evacuation from flood plains to safe and higher grounds.
The Agency advises communities to stay informed through weather updates and flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
Niger Delta Connect gathers that already some states, like Bayelsa, have already commenced measures to mitigate the impact of the floods. Swamp boogies were seen clearing blocked water channels.
