The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning to residents of Rivers State, cautioning about an impending flood expected to hit the region within the next four weeks. Adebiyi Razak, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Razak emphasized that the agency had already begun preparations, particularly in flood-prone areas, as the region braces for increased rainfall. He noted that NEMA had sensitized communities in Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Andoni, Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas, as well as coastal regions that are vulnerable to flash floods.
“Tai has already experienced flash floods, and two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps have been identified in the area,” Razak stated. He further explained that with heavy rains in the northern part of the country draining into the South-South, a significant rise in water levels is expected in Rivers State.
NEMA has advised local councils to prepare schools and other facilities to house displaced residents and stockpile essential supplies. Additionally, residents are urged to move to higher ground or seek refuge in safer areas like schools, churches, and mosques within their communities. Full evacuation to unaffected areas is also being recommended for those in high-risk zones.
Razak highlighted that NEMA is working closely with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and local government councils to ensure coordinated efforts in mitigating the impact of the flood. Essential items are already being stockpiled in anticipation of potential displacement and emergency needs.