Flood Warnings: We’re Ready For Downpour, States Declare

 

Following the yearly flooding cycle that devastates states and communities, leaving a trail of deaths and destruction, states and emergency agencies have declared their preparedness to contain the natural disaster and limit its devastation during this year’s rainy season.

 

NEMA Deploys Mobile Ambulances

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced the deployment of Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulances to some of its operational offices across the country.

In a statement, NEMA said the ambulances were part of proactive measures to enhance emergency response and save lives during the expected flood disasters in 2025.

NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar is said to have approved the deployment following an assessment indicating critical equipment gaps in some field offices.

“The decision aligns with the Agency’s ongoing efforts to optimise resource allocation and improve disaster response capabilities at the sub-national level,” the statement said in part.

The DG said the deployment is a strategic step towards strengthening the operational capacity of the NEMA zonal Directorate and Operation Offices. She also said, “With the increasing risk of climate-induced disasters, particularly flooding, it is imperative that our teams are well-equipped to provide immediate and effective life-saving interventions.”

The MICU ambulances are equipped with modern emergency medical tools, including oxygen supply systems, patient monitoring devices, suction kits, and other essential life support equipment. These features make them suitable for stabilising patients during transit to medical facilities, significantly improving emergency survival chances.

Based on vulnerability assessments and logistical considerations, NEMA said the ambulances have been dispatched to NEMA’s operational offices in Kaduna, Owerri, and Uyo.

“This initiative reflects NEMA’s broader commitment to building a robust nationwide disaster preparedness and response framework. With current climatic forecasts indicating a high probability of severe flooding in several states, the agency has intensified its efforts to upgrade infrastructure, enhance inter-agency coordination, and engage communities in risk awareness programs,” the official statement read in part.

In addition to deploying the advanced rescue equipment, NEMA said it would continue to conduct flood simulation exercises, community sensitisation campaigns, and stakeholder coordination meetings as part of its comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy.

 

Kogi: 42 IDP camps set up to house flood-hit communities

The Kogi state government and critical stakeholders said they have been working on ways to prevent or reduce to the barest minimum the impending flood in the state as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

In 2012, no fewer than eight local government areas were submerged by the floods, with Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, completely cut off from the neighbouring Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for over a month as a result of the overflow from the rivers Niger and Benue.

Local governments prone to yearly flooding include Kogi, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Bassa, Omala, and Ibaji, which was entirely underwater. Several farmlands were damaged, causing human casualties, while houses in some areas, like Adankolo in Lokoja and Ibaji, were completely washed away.

Though the magnitude and impact of the flooding in subsequent years were not as severe as those of 2012, the government and concerned stakeholders are taking measures to prevent the recurrence of that experience.

The state government said it had established 42 IDP camps across eight flood prone local government areas,

In response to the rising water levels of the River Niger and Benue, as well as the 2025 flood prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management said it had established 42 internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps in the state.

This was disclosed during an emergency meeting with key stakeholders to discuss strategies for emergency management and response to the impending flood disaster, to minimise its impact, unlike in previous years when the flood took the state by surprise..

The executive secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, also revealed that 42 IDP camps have been established across eight LGAs, with ine flood-prone areas identified, and approximately 250,000 people expected to be displaced.

He added that an Emergency Operation Centre would be established to facilitate effective coordination and response to the flood situation.

He noted that water levels are rising, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and prompt action to mitigate the impact of the impending flood.

 

Bauchi Govt Approves N956m For Erosion Control

For its part, the Bauchi State Government has approved over N956 million for critical erosion control projects in communities across Bauchi, Alkaleri and Kirfi local government areas.

Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Danlami Kawule, disclosed this to journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.

He explained that the projects will directly benefit the Badara, Gwaram, and Katsalle communities.

According to Kawule, the council also directed the speedy procurement process for additional erosion control works in Duguri and Gwalolo communities.

He further revealed that with support from the World Bank, the state will soon commence a major erosion control intervention from Tsohon Kamfani down to Gwallaga Mayaƙa in the capital.

Kawule assured residents that these interventions are part of Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to protect vulnerable communities from environmental hazards and improve infrastructure resilience statewide.

 

Imo Govt Sets Up Flood Prevention Mechanism

In Imo State, the government has proactively set up a mechanism to prevent flood disasters in the state.

The government said residents had been instructed to tidy up their environment, dispose of waste appropriately and not to block water channels to enable easy flow in the waterways.

Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor,  Oguwuike  Nwachuku, told   LEADERSHIP Sunday that the state government had strategically embarked on desilting the gutters and waterways to prevent flooding, adding that residents were instructed to embark on weekly environmental cleaning exercise.

 

Enugu Identifies High-Risk Buildings

The Enugu State Government, responding to rainfall forecasts, has launched infrastructure reinforcements and public awareness campaigns. A special task force has begun identifying buildings erected along waterways.

An official of the government who spoke on condition of anonymity told LEADERSHIP Sunday that in addition to establishing a task force for drainage and waterway management, the state is conducting public awareness campaigns and reinforcing infrastructure.

It was also gathered that the state has started identifying buildings constructed on waterways.

 

Flood Combat Team Established In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom state government has raised a seven-man emergency combat team to avert the impending environmental disaster, forestall further property destruction, waterborne diseases, and human and animal deaths through floods.

It was also gathered that the federal government has dispatched emergency ambulances and other rescue facilities to Akwa Ibom and other states listed as flood-prone in the country.

This, LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered, followed early warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed the state amongst those to be heavily impacted by the deluge of rains projected to fall consistently for 250 to 290 days.

Our Correspondent’s checks revealed that the downpours have been consistent in the last two weeks, causing environmental hazards to residents of the Uyo metropolis and the adjoining Itam, especially the Urua Ekpa axis of Itu LGA.

Consequently, Governor Umo Eno has urged citizens and residents to ensure regular desilting of drainages, gutters, and other water channels within their vicinity, working in collaboration with the seven-member emergency team that was raised to contain the deluge.

“Akwa Ibom has been mentioned as one of the states that will experience floods this year. Therefore, we must prepare. Please clean the drainage around you and organise community service for this.

“Government will embark on desilting of the drainages, but support the effort of the government to succeed,” he said.

Eno directed the state’s civilian vigilante group, Ibom Community Watch (ICW), to map out strategies to monitor and restrain people from indiscriminately dumping refuse to prevent the regular blockage of drainages.

The heavy downpour has already taken its toll, wreaking havoc in parts of Eket local government area, submerging over 50 houses and destroying properties worth billions of naira around the Almighty Road, Idua road, Atabong and other locations.

 

Ekiti Clears Waterways, Desilts Drainages

In Ekiti, the Commissioner for Environment, Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe  said that the government was putting mechanisms in place to avert a possible flood disaster in the state.

Aluko-Ajisafe told LEADERSHIP Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, that quite a number of flood-prone areas had been identified and proactive measures were being in the areas.

She said,  “All waterways in the state have been dredged, including the one at Igbaraodo in Ekiti Southwest local government area.

“The waterways in Ado Ekiti, Ilawe Ekiti, Ikere Ekiti and others are also receiving attention. Drainages and gutters in Ado Ekiti and other towns have been desilted.”.

The commissioner advised the people of the state against dumping refuse in the gutters and drainages to avoid blockage, which could lead to flooding.

 

Sokoto residents warned to take safety measures

To reduce risk and safeguard lives, the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has urged residents in affected areas to take proactive safety measures and issued several safety advisories to mitigate flood disaster in Sokoto.

Abubakar Abdullahi, SEMA media and information officer, said that residents were urged to clear drainage systems in their surroundings to allow for free water flow.

“They should avoid walking or driving through flooded areas where currents may appear mild but can be dangerous, and prepare emergency kits with essentials such as dry food, clean water, first aid supplies, flashlights, and power banks.

“People living in low-lying or flood-prone areas are advised to move to higher ground. Households are also advised to disconnect electricity during flooding to reduce the risk of electrocution or fire outbreaks,” he said.

 

Abia Sustains Flood Sensitisation Efforts

‎Since about two months ago, the Abia State government has mounted a robust campaign through the media and desilting of gutters and drainage in the cities.

‎‎The commissioner for Environment, Philmone Asonye, and the chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment and Urban Renewal, Kalu Mba Nwoke confirmed this to LEADERSHIP Sunday.

‎‎According to them, they have been engaging various segments of society at different forums on how to mitigate or avert the menace.

‎‎”Our meetings and the measures we have been putting in place especially to ensure the gutters and drains are free have been sustained,” said Mba.

The NEMA boss said, “For NEMA, we have gone on sensitising the public (road work and on the radio). With regard to emergencies during floods, we have a brand new ambulance for such, and we have stocked and piled relief items for both Imo and Abia states.

“We have gone ahead to monitor the level of the river at Oguta so as to be able to inform the public and the state of the dangers ahead. Movement of people to higher ground is not yet possible due to the people’s attitude regarding land beliefs.

 

 

 

Borno Embarks On Sensitisation, Clearance Of Drainages

Borno State Government has embarked on massive sensitisation of residents and clearance of drainages to avert floods in the upcoming rainy season.

 

Speaking to our correspondent in Maiduguri, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Comrade Juliana Bitrus, said the Ministry had constructed 17 new drainages to control flooding in Maiduguri Metropolis.

 

Comrade Bitrus added that the Ministry also carried out construction of drainages in the newly established Borno State University Teaching Hospital located at Kano/Jos Road.

 

She said these projects were completed early this year, adding that the Ministry had also renovated the structures within Sanda Kyarimi Park (Zoo), which was affected by the devastating flooding that occurred on September 10, 2024.

 

To mitigate the effects of climate change, she said the Ministry also carried out training to create awareness among youths and women about climate change impact, adaptation, and mitigation.

 

The government also engaged a consultant to review the state’s drainage waste plan, which was designed in the early 1970s.

 

Kaduna Embarks On Dredging, Expansion Of Waterways

 

In Kaduna State, the state government said it has started dredging and expanding major waterways in identified flood-prone areas following flood alerts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

 

NiMET had identified Kaduna among states likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, flash floods, erosion, and strong winds during the rainy season.

 

However, the state Commissioner for Environment, Abubakar Buba, stated that the government had mapped out vulnerable locations and was taking proactive steps to prevent disasters.

 

The commissioner said his ministry has inspected the ongoing dredging activities at Ifira, along the Kaduna International Airport road in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA).

 

Buba said the officials had opened up about 800 metres of the river to ease water flow and prevent the kind of disaster that happened there last year.

 

While calling on residents to stop dumping refuse in drainage channels, the commissioner said that the state, with the measures in place, aimed for a flood-free season.

 

KADSEMA Inaugurates 2025 Flood Team, Coordination Centre

 

The Kaduna State Management Agency (KADSEMA) has officially inaugurated the 2025 Flood Emergency Operation and Response Team, as well as the activation of the Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) domiciled at the KD-ICT/Disaster Control Centre.

 

Dr. Usman Hayatu Mazadu, the agency’s executive secretary, made the disclosure during a high-level consultative and interactive session as part of preparations for any foreseen situation as the rains intensify.

 

According to the ES, over the past six weeks, KADSEMA had conducted extensive stakeholder sensitisation across predicted flood-prone communities in collaboration with relevant agencies and has also pre-positioned resources provided by the Governor to ensure that responses are not delayed.

 

“We have established seven Safe Haven Centres equipped with tents, food, non-food items, and essential supplies. These are ready for the temporary relocation of at-risk populations,” he said.

He reaffirmed Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Kaduna citizens.

 

 Niger Activates Flood Campaign Team

 

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said that it had launched the Annual Flood Sensitisation Campaign.

 

The director general of NSEMA Abdullahi Baba Arah said it was in anticipation of the early warning signs and a campaign to mitigate the effects of flood

 

He said the annual flood sensitisation and early warning campaigns were done across the eight emirate councils of Niger State.

 

“These efforts are aimed at increasing public awareness, encouraging preparedness, and reducing flood risks in vulnerable communities through community engagements “.

 

He said it was not about relocating them but finding lasting solutions to avoid the risk, which was why community engagement was key.

 

Since September last year, Niger state has suffered emergency situations caused by explosions and natural disasters.