Heavy rainfall: Flood to hit 27 states in Nigeria

Residents in flood-prone areas across 27 states in Nigeria were given a severe warning by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday to begin moving.

Additionally, the Agency stated that 16,488 hectares of cropland and 32,837 dwellings sustained major damage as a result of the floods.

The NEMA spokesperson, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, said this in an Abuja statement. NEMA further stated that in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), search and rescue teams that have been mobilised are delivering vital relief supplies.

“27 states in Nigeria have been impacted by recent floods, affecting 227,494 individuals and damaging 32,837 houses and 16,488 hectares of farmland.

“NEMA is conducting assessments and deploying relief items to support affected communities,” it says.

NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, emphasised urgency for communities in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as the rainy season progressed.

Umar also called for increased public awareness on proper waste management to help prevent future flooding.
“The agency emphasises the importance of public awareness on waste management to prevent flooding and advises at-risk communities to relocate to safer areas.”

NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, reassured farmers about the temporary dry season, pointing out that it would soon pass.

Community leaders and stakeholders were urged to implement rapid response measures to mitigate the ongoing flood threats.