The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sounded a warning to residents of Rivers State, alerting them to an impending flood disaster expected to hit the state within the next four weeks. This warning was issued by NEMA’s South-South zonal coordinator, Adebiyi Razak, during an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
According to Mr. Razak, the agency has already begun preparing residents for the impending flood, particularly in areas prone to flash floods. He listed Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Andoni, Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas, as well as coastal areas, as those likely to be impacted.
Mr. Razak attributed the impending flood to the increasing intensity of rainfall in the South-South region, particularly in Rivers State, and the significant water rise expected in the region due to heavy rains in the north draining into the South-South.
It bears mentioning that to mitigate the impact of the flood, NEMA has advised local government councils to prepare schools and other facilities to accommodate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and stockpile essential items. Residents have also been advised to prepare to move to higher ground or seek refuge in upper, safer areas such as schools, churches, and mosques within their communities.
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Notably, NEMA has already started stockpiling essential items to support local authorities if the need arises. The agency is working closely with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and local government councils to mitigate the impact of the impending floods.
It is worth noting that for those to the matter, this warning comes as a timely alert to residents of Rivers State, urging them to take necessary precautions to avoid the devastating effects of the impending flood. With the experiences of past flood disasters still fresh in mind, residents are advised to take this warning seriously and make necessary preparations to ensure their safety.
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