The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its zonal directorates and operations offices following a high flood risk alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) for 15 states across the country.
The alert, according to NEMA, forecasts a high risk of riverine flooding resulting from rising river levels in Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia states.
NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, directed the Agency’s offices covering the affected states to immediately activate existing preparedness mechanisms and maintain close coordination with state authorities, emergency management agencies and other response stakeholders.
She also ordered the offices to closely monitor developments in vulnerable locations and remain on standby to support response operations where necessary.
Umar urged residents living on floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying areas and other vulnerable locations to take the warning seriously and relocate to designated safe and higher ground before flood conditions worsen.
She particularly called for adequate protection of vulnerable groups, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
The NEMA chief also urged state and local governments in the affected areas to activate their emergency preparedness mechanisms and pre-position essential relief and response materials at secure locations on higher ground.
Such supplies, she said, should include food and non-food items, safe drinking water and water-treatment materials, first-aid and medical supplies, as well as rescue equipment.
Umar stressed that early action remained critical to reducing the potential impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She urged communities to cooperate with emergency management authorities and comply with evacuation advisories whenever they are issued.
The Director-General further cautioned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water, either on foot or in vehicles, warning that such actions could expose them to serious risks.
She advised residents to continue monitoring official flood warnings and updates from NIHSA, NEMA and other relevant government agencies.
NEMA said it would continue monitoring the situation in collaboration with NIHSA, State Emergency Management Agencies and other stakeholders, while its response teams remain on standby to provide support where required.
