BREAKING: Residents of 27 States advised to relocate immediately

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday issued a stern warning to residents living in flood-prone communities across 27 Nigerian States to start relocating immediately.

According to NEMA Emergency Operations Centre established for flood monitoring and coordination of resource deployment, 27 States have been affected by flood.

Mr Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement in Abuja, while also reporting that the floods caused significant damage to 32,837 homes and 16,488 hectares of farmland.

NEMA added that mobilised search and rescue teams are distributing essential relief supplies in partnership with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).

“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.

TNG reports the map below shows States that have been impacted and those yet to be impacted by flood.

STATES AFFECTED BY FLOOD FROM APRIL, 2024 TILL DATE

NEMA warns: 362 vulnerable communities at high risk of flood

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that 362 vulnerable Communities in 14 local government in Kano State are at high risk of flood.

NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, made this known at a one-day stakeholders meeting in Kano on Thursday.

The meeting was on Solid Waste Management and Flood Preparedness: Downscaling 2024 Flood Early Warning Strategies for Grassroots Action.

The theme of the workshop is: “Enhancing Community Resilience through Effective Solid Waste Management and Proactive Flood Preparedness”

Umar, who was represented by Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Territorial Coordinator Kano Office said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) AFO has predicted a population of 3,749,200 were at a risk of flood in the state.

She listed the local govt to include: Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura and Dala.

Umar said the meeting was also to implement effective early actions that would safeguard lives and livelihoods throughout the rainy season.

“Floods of 2012 and 2022 have highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts across all levels of government in managing disaster risks.

“Kano State has historically experienced severe impacts from floods, and the current predictions highlight that certain areas will continue to face challenges, especially with improper solid waste disposal in our communities,” she said

The DG emphasised the need to collaborate to sensitise the public on waste management as well as downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation at the grassroots levels.

“Improper solid waste disposal affects the environment, human health as well as the economy, due to uncontrolled dumping of large amount of wastes, which prevent rainwater from flowing freely leading to overflow and flooding.

Umar noted that NEMA has engaged in extensive planning and analysis, Stakeholders’ Technical Meeting and an Emergency Coordination Forum.

“Disaster management is everyone’s business. By coming together, we can protect our communities, preserve critical infrastructure, and maintain socio-economic stability in Kano state.

“This aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on socio-economic growth and development under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Umar said

The Kano state Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, reiterated Gov.Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s commitment to protect the people against disasters and emergencies.

Abdullahi, represented by the Ministry’s Director Disaster Management and Rapid Response, Mr Mustafa Yunusa, commended the organisers of the workshop .

The Managing Director of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, Alhaji Amadu Haruna-Zago urged residents to desist from dumping  refuse on the road and water ways.

Also, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Abudullahi-Kubarachi commended NEMA and other stakeholders for their efforts in sensitising the public on disaster issues.

The workshop was organised by NEMA in collaboration with SEMA, Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.