Home FEATURES Flood: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Bayelsa, Others On Orange Alert

Flood: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Bayelsa, Others On Orange Alert

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Eight states of Nigeria: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, Delta, Imo and Rivers have been placed on orange alert by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The Agency said that residents of these states which lie along the River Niger and its tributaries, should pray hard to avoid the catastrophy that may occur as a result of possible flood.

The Director General of the Agency, Engr. Mustapha Y. Maihaja, who gave these warnings in a statement today, Wednesday in Abuja, emphasized that the eight states are at very high risk of catastrophic flooding in coming days and weeks.

The statement, which emanated from the office of the  head of media and public relations of the agency, Alhaji Sani Datti, said that an emergency warning from the Niger Basin Authority, also confirmed by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) revealed the rising water levels in Niger which has been at “Orange Alert level” consistently for the past seven days.

“The Orange Alert is the second most severe category in measurement. As such, those living in the mention states should prepare for any eventuality.”

The statement said that following this year’s seasonal rainfall forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in March 2017 and hydrological outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) of possible flood that will affect many States of the Federation, the Agency sent out alert warning to identified States and called them to scale-up their preparedness to avert imminent consequences.

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NEMA said that as a result of that warning, already, 27 States have experienced very devastating flood disaster.

“As such, in the light of the above the Agency organized a flood coordination forum held today 13th September 2017 and is therefore calling on the general public in the aforementioned areas to move to higher grounds and the respective state governments to engage in sensitization, evacuation and preparation for possible flooding.
“NEMA wishes to confirm its readiness in emergency response. Its Emergency Response Teams have been placed on high alert in the areas to coordinate all possible emergency response activities, and assist relevant stakeholders for effective evacuation of the communities.” [myad]