The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has stated that 27 out of the 36 States of the Federation have been impacted by floods. With a total of 227,494 persons affected and 32,837 houses damaged, NEMA quoted.
Making the revelation on Thursday, the agency added that 16,488 hectares of farmland with crops were also damaged.
This was contained in a statement by the agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, issued by NEMA’s spokesperson, Ezekiel Manzo.
Umar said, “NEMA shall continue with public sensitization, as well as grassroots awareness through advocacies and workshops on solid waste management. To raise public consciousness on the clearance of blocked drainages and waterways.
“So far, based on statistics from the NEMA Emergency Operations Centre established for the flood monitoring and coordination of resource deployment, 27 States have been impacted. With a total of 227,494 persons affected and 32,837 houses damaged. As well as 16,488 hectares of farmland with crops also damaged.”
The DG, therefore, urged State Emergency Management Agencies and community leaders to be proactive. She said they should be prepared for rapid flood response.
Umar also reassured farmers not to panic about the temporary dry spell being experienced in some parts of the country. She noted that it would end soon according to NiMet’s predictions.
The DG called on communities at risk of flooding and those living along waterways should relocate. She urged them move to safer, higher grounds ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
Umar also called on all stakeholders, especially SEMAs and community leaders, to be ready to activate, at short notice, plans and preparations for floods with the increasing incidents in some parts of the country.
The NEMA boss, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to coordinate and provide necessary support towards efficient disaster management across the country.
She said, “NEMA has rapidly mobilized efforts to assess the damage caused by floods nationwide.” She added that the agency was also coordinating relief operations with the various SEMAs.
“This highlights NEMA’s proactive stance and readiness to address the nationwide crisis,” the agency stated in its statement.
“The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has responded to the recent flood incidents that devastated some communities across the country. And commenced the conduct of assessment of the impacts with the various States Emergency Management Agencies to provide timely and appropriate support to the affected persons.
“The timely response by NEMA to the flood incidents is in furtherance to the early preparations made by the agency in the deployment of search and rescue teams and the placement of all NEMA zonal and operation offices on alert.
“The agency has also commenced the deployment of relief items to complement efforts by the various State Governments to provide succour to persons affected by the floods,” it stated.
“Flooding in Nigeria is a recurrent and severe issue. It is exacerbated by factors such as seasonal rains, poor drainage infrastructure, and deforestation.
“The country experiences significant flooding during the rainy season, particularly in low-lying areas and regions near rivers and coastal zones.
“Urbanization and inadequate waste management often lead to blocked drainages, worsening the impact of floods.
“In recent years, climate change has intensified these challenges, increasing the frequency and severity of flooding events.
“The consequences are far-reaching, affecting millions of people through displacement. Causing damage to homes and infrastructure, and disruptions to agriculture and livelihoods.
“Efforts to manage and mitigate flooding include improved infrastructure, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns,” the statement read.
source: Punch
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