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She also warned against risky behaviours that could worsen the impact of flooding, including driving or walking through floodwaters, which often conceal dangerous currents, debris, or open drainage systems
kaNo —
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, has called on residents of flood-prone communities across the country to urgently relocate to safer grounds as Nigeria enters a period of intensified rainfall.
Umar’s advisory, contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the agency’s Press Unit, comes amid growing concerns over widespread flooding risks linked to heavy rainfall patterns across several states.
She stressed that communities situated in low-lying and flood-prone areas must take proactive measures, including temporary relocation, to mitigate the devastating effects often associated with seasonal flooding.
According to the statement, the NEMA boss emphasised that the current phase of the rainy season demands heightened vigilance and the activation of community-level flood control strategies.
“The current period of heightened rainfall calls for the activation of community-level flood mitigation measures to minimise the impact of flooding,” Umar said, reiterating that preparedness and early evacuation remain the most effective strategies for preventing disaster-related casualties.
NEMA Warns Against Risky Behaviours
She also warned against risky behaviours that could worsen the impact of flooding, including driving or walking through floodwaters, which often conceal dangerous currents, debris, or open drainage systems.
In addition, she cautioned against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, a practice that has consistently contributed to urban flooding in many parts of the country.
Residents were further encouraged to promptly report emergency situations to appropriate authorities to ensure swift response and rescue operations.
Umar noted that timely information sharing between communities and emergency responders plays a crucial role in saving lives during disasters.
To strengthen grassroots preparedness, she disclosed that NEMA’s Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations Offices have been directed to intensify public awareness campaigns nationwide.
These campaigns, she said, would focus on educating communities about flood risks, evacuation procedures and safety practices.
The agency is also stepping up collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, traditional institutions and other critical stakeholders to ensure coordinated disaster response efforts.
Umar explained that such partnerships are essential for effective search and rescue operations, as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations.
Reaffirming NEMA’s commitment, she said the agency would continue to monitor the evolving flood situation across the country and respond promptly to emergencies.
“We remain committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure timely response and the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected persons,” she added.
The warning by NEMA comes on the heels of recent forecasts by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which indicated that at least 14 states could experience moderate flooding between July 14 and July 20.
The agency listed Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger and Plateau as areas at risk of localised flooding.
It urged residents in vulnerable communities within these states to take precautionary measures, including clearing drainage systems and relocating where necessary, to minimise potential damage.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Environment had earlier issued a broader flood alert covering 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, warning that persistent heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in hundreds of communities nationwide.
Beyond warnings and advisories, Nigeria is also strengthening its disaster response framework through enhanced collaboration between key institutions.
NEMA Partners With Nigerian Army To Strengthen Flood Preparedness.
In a related development, the Nigerian Army and NEMA have reaffirmed their commitment to improving flood preparedness and emergency response through closer operational cooperation.
This renewed partnership was highlighted during a meeting between the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Shaibu described disaster response as a critical component of national security, noting that the Nigerian Army remains ready to support civil authorities whenever emergencies exceed local response capacity.
He disclosed that the Army has already established specialised Disaster Response Units across the country’s geopolitical zones, with personnel and equipment strategically positioned for rapid deployment.
“The Army has already established specialised Disaster Response Units across the country’s geopolitical zones, positioning personnel and equipment for rapid deployment to flood-prone and other high-risk communities,” he said.
To further enhance preparedness, the Army has granted NEMA access to its Land Forces Simulation Centre to conduct joint simulation exercises.
Shaibu also stressed the importance of intelligence-driven disaster risk management, calling for continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure such as dams and reservoirs.
He advocated stronger regional cooperation on transboundary water management to reduce the impact of flooding, particularly in border communities.
He maintained that early warning systems, timely information sharing and sustained inter-agency collaboration are essential to safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure and ensuring national stability in the face of climate-related disasters.
On her part, Umar acknowledged the longstanding support of the Nigerian Army in disaster response operations, noting that such collaboration has significantly improved emergency interventions in recent years.
She revealed that current projections indicate a high risk of flooding across as many as 33 states during the ongoing rainy season.
Projections Indicate High Risk Flood Across 33 States
According to her, disaster simulation exercises have already been planned for vulnerable states, including Oyo, Cross River and Adamawa, as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness at both state and community levels.
The growing collaboration between NEMA and the Nigerian Army reflects an increasing recognition of the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to disaster management in Nigeria.
Experts say that beyond emergency response, sustained planning, public awareness and investment in resilient infrastructure are crucial to reducing the long-term impact of flooding.
As rainfall intensifies across the country, authorities continue to stress that the responsibility for preventing flood disasters does not rest solely on government agencies.
Residents, especially those in high-risk areas, are urged to take warnings seriously, adopt preventive measures and prioritise safety by relocating when necessary.
