Nigeria: Flood destroys 110 houses as NEMA issues flood alert on 28 States
As many as 110 houses in the Zurmi local government area in Zamfara State were destroyed by floods on Wednesday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued flood warnings in 28 states and 102 local government areas in Nigeria.
The National Emergency Management Agency has urged the residents to prepare for imminent flooding between August and October this year. NEMA’s Director of Operations in charge of Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States, Mr. Olusegun Afolayan, issued the flood alert on Friday in Akure.
Mr. Afolayan said 28 states and 102 local government areas in the country were at risk of flooding at any time from now on, due to the impending heavy rainfall in the country. He said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier in February warned Nigerians of imminent heavy rain due to climate change that will cause flooding.
He said the agency had begun educating residents ahead of the imminent danger, especially on how to prepare themselves and how to properly channel their waste. He said, “and if flooding occurs, it will result in loss of life and property, and we need to warn communities that could be affected.”
“Those who have built on flood plains should move to other areas to avoid the impending flood disaster that is likely to occur between August and October. Floods are not always caused by a heavy rainfall alone, but when dams have been opened too, this always leads to flooding. Approximately 28 states and 102 local governments have been affected by this potential flooding.”
Over 110 houses destroyed by flood
The Special Adviser to Gov. Bello Matawalle on Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Fa’ika Ahmad, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau, said she led officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to conduct assessment of the affected victims.
The Special Adviser to Government Bello Matawalle for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Fa’Ika Ahmad, said she had led officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the affected victims. “We thank God that no lives were lost, but we have registered 110 affected households,” she said. Fa’Ika said the state government had donated 330 bags of assorted grain to the victims.
“Each of the affected households received three bags of assorted grain, including Millet, sorghum, and maize. We are working to provide construction and roofing materials to the affected victims. However, we are giving high priority to the needy and most vulnerable among the victims,” she explained.
She lamented the low public awareness of proactive disaster response measures in the state.
She said her office has been working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders to raise awareness on disaster management and proactive measures, especially in communities across the state.
