The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a red alert, urging states in Nigeria’s North Central and Southern regions to prepare for potential flooding.
The warning comes amid rising water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers, alongside recent floods that have devastated numerous communities.
In a statement titled ‘Flood Alert: States in Central and Southern Nigeria to Prepare,’ Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, outlined the states most at risk in the coming weeks. These include Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
The agency called on state governments, local authorities, and communities in these areas to take immediate preventive actions, such as clearing clogged drainage systems, building temporary flood defenses, and evacuating from low-lying areas to safer, elevated regions.
NEMA stressed the importance of proactive steps to mitigate the impact of flooding, aiming to reduce the risk of loss of life, displacement, and damage to infrastructure and property, which have occurred in previously flood-hit regions.
In the statement, NEMA emphasized, “It is essential for state and local governments, as well as communities, to take the necessary steps to prevent the kind of widespread damage seen in earlier flood-affected areas, which included loss of life, displacement of communities, and significant damage to infrastructure.”
The agency specifically highlighted that the states most vulnerable to flooding in the coming weeks are Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
NEMA advised these communities to act immediately by clearing drainage systems, erecting temporary flood barriers, and moving from flood-prone areas to safer ground. The agency also encouraged residents to stay informed through weather forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
In addition, NEMA advised communities to avoid crossing flooded areas, relocate if necessary, and cooperate with local emergency services.
The agency further assured the public that it is coordinating with state emergency management bodies and other relevant stakeholders through its National Emergency Operations Centre to provide support, including rescue and relief efforts, to affected areas.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, emphasized the importance of early preparedness and community vigilance. She urged residents in vulnerable regions to heed the warnings, stating, “We appeal to all residents, particularly in high-risk areas, to take our warnings seriously and adopt preventive measures immediately to protect lives and property. Preparedness is crucial to minimizing the impact of flooding.”
