By Augustine Kuza, Lafia
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet, has warned communities at the riverine areas in Nasarawa state to evacuate from the high-risk areas to avert loss of lives and properties in the event of flooding.
NiMet, through the Director General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency NASEMA, Bar. Benjamin Akwash, gave the warning in Lafia the state capital.
According to him, the warning becomes necessary following the latest flash flood alert issued by the Agency, expected to happen in 19 states including Nasarawa.
He said NiMet has warned Sokoto, Nasarawa, Lagos, and 16 other states to experience flooding in July due to increasing rainfall.
“The high-risk state is Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River”, he noted.
Akwash advised residents to prioritise their safety above the long-held beliefs in ancestral homes and move to high ground to safeguard their lives, property, and livelihoods.
“We are reiterating what we told them during early warning sensitisation to evacuate from the flood risk areas. We are specifically appealing to riverine communities to evacuate.
“We can’t let our people gamble with their lives, If we had gone round to sensitise them on early warning and again we are receiving another warning on an impending flash flood in our state, then it behoves on them to take it seriously.
“Natural disasters do not give a warning, date, or time. Once again, we call on people to move to the high ground where they will be safe, and stay alive to continue with their livelihoods,” he advised.
The NASEMA boss said the agency was looking ahead to procure speed boats and canoes, along with other safety kits to help in facilitating the evacuation of people from flood risk areas to safer ground in the event of flooding.
