NEMA Activates Operations Over Flooding Alert In 15 States

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its zonal directorates and operations offices in 15 states following a high flood risk alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The agency warned of a high risk of riverine flooding in Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia States as a result of rising river levels.

NEMA director-general, Mrs Zubaida Umar, who ordered the activation, directed the offices covering the affected states to immediately activate their existing preparedness mechanisms and intensify monitoring of vulnerable communities.

She also directed the offices to maintain close coordination with state and local authorities, emergency management agencies and other relevant response stakeholders to ensure timely intervention should the situation worsen.

Umar urged residents living on floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying areas and other flood-prone locations to take the warning seriously and relocate to identified safe and higher ground before conditions become critical.

She further called for special attention to vulnerable persons, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
The NEMA DG also urged state and local government authorities in the affected areas to activate their emergency preparedness mechanisms and pre-position essential relief and response materials at safe strategic locations on higher ground.

According to her, such materials should include food and non-food items, safe drinking water and water-treatment supplies, first-aid and medical materials, as well as rescue equipment.

She stressed that early action remained critical to reducing the impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

Umar appealed to communities to cooperate with emergency management authorities and comply with evacuation advisories whenever they are issued.

She also warned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water, either on foot or in vehicles, urging them to continue monitoring official flood warnings and updates from government agencies.

NEMA said it would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with NIHSA, State Emergency Management Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, while its response teams remain on standby to provide support where required.