NEMA warns 8 states ahead of catastrophic flooding

The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Y. Maihaja FNSE has called on residents along the River Niger and its tributaries in Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers and Bayelsa states to be on the alert of very high risk of catastrophic flooding in coming days and weeks.

A statement on Wednesday, from the head of media and public relations of the agency, Alhaji Sani Datti said an emergency warning from the Niger Basin Authority, also confirmed by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) revealed of the rising water levels in Niger which has been at “Orange Alert level” consistently for the past 7 days.

“The Orange Alert is the second most severe category in measurement. As such, those living in the mention states should prepare for any eventuality,” the statement added.

The statement also added that following this year’s seasonal rainfall forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in March 2017 and hydrological outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) of possible flood that will affect many States of the Federation, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) sent out alert warning to identified States and called them to scale-up their preparedness to avert imminent consequences.

NEMA said as a result of that warning, already, twenty seven (27) States have experienced very devastating flood disaster.

“As such, in the light of the above the Agency organized a flood coordination forum held today 13th September 2017 and is therefore calling on the general public in the aforementioned areas to move to higher grounds and the respective state governments to engage in sensitization, evacuation and preparation for possible flooding.

“NEMA wishes to confirm its readiness in emergency response. Its Emergency Response Teams have been placed on high alert in the areas to coordinate all possible emergency response activities, and assist relevant stakeholders for effective evacuation of the communities,” the statement added.