The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued an urgent warning to residents living in flood-prone communities across 27 Nigerian states, urging them to begin relocating to safer areas. The warning comes in the wake of severe flooding that has already caused extensive damage to homes and farmland in several regions.
According to a statement released by NEMA’s spokesperson, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, the recent floods have affected 227,494 individuals, damaging 32,837 houses and 16,488 hectares of farmland. The agency highlighted the critical situation in these areas, where the heavy rains have resulted in widespread devastation.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, underscored the importance of immediate action, emphasizing the need for at-risk communities to move to higher ground as the rainy season progresses. “It is crucial that communities in flood-prone areas relocate to safer locations to avoid further loss of lives and property,” Umar stated.
In response to the crisis, NEMA has mobilized search and rescue teams in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to provide essential relief supplies to those affected. The agency is also conducting assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and to ensure that aid reaches the most impacted areas.
In addition to the call for relocation, NEMA stressed the importance of public awareness on proper waste management practices as a preventative measure against future flooding. Poor waste disposal, which often leads to blocked drainage systems, has been identified as a significant contributing factor to the severity of flooding in many areas.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Agency says it is actively working to support the affected communities through relief efforts and is urging residents to heed the warnings and take necessary precautions to protect their lives and property.
