NEMA Raises Flood Alert, Urges Residents in High-Risk Communities to Relocate as Rains Intensify
By Pan Afric Reporters
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of flood-prone communities across Nigeria to immediately heed official flood warnings and relocate to safer locations, warning that early preparedness and evacuation remain the most effective ways to prevent loss of lives and property as heavy rainfall intensifies nationwide.
The advisory was contained in a press statement issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and signed by Mr. Manzo Ezekiel of the NEMA Press Unit on Saturday.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the current phase of the rainy season requires communities vulnerable to flooding to activate local mitigation measures and strictly comply with early warning information issued by relevant government agencies.
She stressed that residents should not wait until floodwaters overtake their communities before taking action.
“Preparedness and early evacuation remain the most effective ways of preventing avoidable loss of lives and reducing the impact of floods during the peak of the rainy season,” she said.
Mrs. Umar urged members of the public to relocate to higher and safer grounds whenever flooding threatens their communities, while cautioning against driving or walking through floodwaters because of the risks they pose.
She also advised Nigerians to refrain from dumping refuse into drainage channels, noting that blocked waterways often worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
The NEMA Director General further called on citizens to promptly report emergency situations to the appropriate authorities to facilitate swift rescue and response operations.
To strengthen nationwide preparedness, Mrs. Umar disclosed that NEMA has directed its Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations Offices to intensify community-based awareness campaigns on flood preparedness across the country.
According to her, the agency is also strengthening collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), traditional institutions and other critical stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and ensure timely search and rescue operations where necessary.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to closely monitoring the flood situation nationwide and working with relevant stakeholders to provide rapid emergency response and humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
Mrs. Umar assured Nigerians that the agency remains on high alert throughout the rainy season and will continue coordinating efforts aimed at protecting lives, reducing disaster risks and supporting vulnerable populations affected by flooding.
