Tag: flood in Nigeria

Flood Alerts: NEMA Confident Government Is Prepared To Avert Crisis

flood, adamawaThe National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Nigeria believes the Federal and State governments are better prepared to avert a humanitarian crisis after recent flood alerts.

The Director General of NEMA, Sani Sidi, expressed hopes of government’s readiness during an emergency humanitarian coordination forum held on Tuesday.


At the forum were different agencies of government and some international agencies and talks focused on contingency plans in response to the flood alert.

Mr Sidi said the early warning provided must be matched with early action.

Some of the devastation left behind by the flood disaster that occurred in 2012 were considered and in a bid to avert recurrence, the forum participants worked on an action plan.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued a flood alert few days ago.

Charting a course for discussions at the meeting, the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Moses Beckley, read out figures his agency had in relation to the flood of 2012.

A presentation was also made on the flood alert, the contingency plan that has been put in place and the role of the different agencies involved.

The Director General of NEMA said a lot of work was being done with the state governments to avert humanitarian crisis.

A few things that have been made clear at the meeting was that time was short, local action was very important and that just cleaning drainages would go a long way to ensure that the coming flood would not lead to humanitarian crisis.

Days after the alerts were issued, the Kano State Relief And Emergency Agency (SARERA), confirmed that at least 5,300 houses have been destroyed by flood in six local government areas of Kano State.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mr Aliyu Bashir, the affected local government areas include, Bebeji, Dawakin Kudu, Kiru Shanono, Bagwai and Garun Mallam.

Mr Bashir said over 2,300 houses were affected in Dawakin Kudu, while about 600 houses in each of the remaining five areas were also destroyed by the flood.

Floods Ravage Over 2,000 Houses In Kaduna

kaduna floodAt least 2,000 houses in some parts of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, have been submerged by flood as a result of a heavy rainfall.

The flood was said to have been caused by an unusual heavy downpour that lasted for over 48 hours.

The rainfall which started on Saturday night till Monday morning, caused massive floods at Abubakar Kigo road new extension, Barnawa, Ungwar-Rimi, Gonin-Gora, Karatudu, Kachia, Romi among others.

More than 30, 000 people had been forced out of their homes following the incident.

Many roads had also been blocked, making it difficult to get help and supplies to affected areas.

Flooding is common in most parts of Kaduna State during the rainy season.

Channels Television’s Correspondent in Kaduna, said that poor drainage in the affected areas was the cause of the  flood.

In 2012, flood killed about seven people,  destroyed several houses and farmlands, in what officials said was the worst natural disaster ever to befall the state.

Since then, the State Emergency Management Agency had set up an early warning system to monitor the weather.

About 30 houses were affected by flood in the area as a result of heavy down pour in August.

The residents had, however, refused to comply with NEMA’s directive due to claims of fund to secure new homes.

Instead, they attributed the flood to lack of dredging of the Kaduna River and the opening of a dam by the Cameroonian authorities.

Residents have called on the State Government to dredge the river for easy flow of water during the rainy season.

As the rains continue to pour out, some of the affected residents have started moving out their properties to safer places.

Kaduna, Sokoto Residents Asked To Vacate Flood Prone Areas

floodThe National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Nigeria has asked residents living in flood prone areas and near river banks in some parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, Jigawa and other parts of the north west zone to vacate their residences in order to avoid being affected by this year’ flooding.

The coordinator of NEMA for the North West Zone Operations Office, Musa Ilallah, gave the advice during a one-day sensitisation workshop held in Kaduna on Thursday, focusing on ‘Comprehensive Disaster Management: Preparedness and Coordination for Response to Emergencies’.

He said the aim of the workshop was to enhance the capability of stakeholders for disaster mitigation, preparedness and response across all jurisdictions, sectors and disciplines.

The workshop also brought to the fore, the need for stakeholders across the zone to be aware of activities needed to be undertaken prior to disasters.

Mr Ilallah appealed to State governments to provide alternative housing for those who might be affected to avert crises.

He said ignorance of flood risks had encouraged people to live in flood plains, hence their resolve to embark on sensitisation programmes across the probable flood prone areas in the zone.

All the agencies usually involved in rescue and emergency operations – Civil Defence, Red Cross, Road Safety, Fire Service – and other stakeholders attended the workshop.

Strengthening the synergy and collaboration between these agencies on how to handle emergency situations was also the focus of the workshop.

The Guest Speaker at the workshop and a lecturer with Kaduna Polytechnic, Ishaq Quaranmata, asked the media to help in sensitising the people on the dangers of flood.

Mitigation, preparedness and effective response to multi hazard emergencies require vigilance, requisite skill and understanding of disaster management among all stakeholders.

NEMA Organises Anti-flood Campaign For Groups

Not ignoring the impact that flooding has had on Nigeriain 2012, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has embarked on an awareness campaign to prepare Nigerians for flood.

The sensitization campaign was organized for local government officials, civil society organizations, community and faith based organisations, volunteers and citizens to educate them on risk reduction and prevention.

Flooding has been known to have a damaging effect on farmlands which will always lead to increase in food prices as reckoned by resource persons at the campaign workshop.

NEMA urged Nigerians to obey warnings on the impending flood by the Nigerian Meteorological Department, noting that it will go a long way in reducing the impact of the flood.

It further advised that warnings should be strictly adhered to in order to avoid the repetition of last year’s flood disaster.

 

Jonathan commends Rivers state government over handling of flood victims

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Rivers state government for promptly addressing the plight of communities and persons affected by ravaging floods in the past two weeks.

Speaking on Saturday while addressing flood victims in the state camped at Model Primary School, Mbiama in Ahoada West, President Jonathan praised Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s effort in providing relief materials for the displaced persons.

The president assured them of more aid from the federal government.

President Jonathan, who had visited Delta and Bayelsa states, flew straight from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, promised to supply them with all the farming necessities that would help them settle back to their farm steads.

Flying over four floods devastated local government areas, Jonathan lamented that the flood is the worst the state has ever experienced in 43 years

Governor Amaechi said government would do all in its power to ensure effective medical and good sanitation conditions and advised the people on proper sanitation of their environment.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Rivers State Flood Relief Committee, and deputy governor of the state, Engr. Tele Ikuru has disclosed that the number of flood victims has risen from 670,582 to 830,000 while communities affected are now 183 from the previous 150 and called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intensify efforts in the provision of relief materials to affected people in the state.

NEMA Director of Training, Mr. Daniel Gambo commended the state government for taking adequate steps in camping and catering for the welfare of the flood victims.

On behalf of his agency, he presented relief materials which included 500 units of mattresses, 200 bags of rice and beans, vegetable oil and some clothing. He promised that more relief materials would be sent to the state.

The president was accompanied by governors of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson, Sen. Clever Ikisipko, Rep. Uche Ekwunife and Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike.

 

Cholera breaks out in Jos as death toll from flood hits 47

There are fears of a possible cholera outbreak within the areas affected by floods in Jos, Plateau state.

A medical official of the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria in the state, Tawa Abdulrahama, on Tuesday disclosed that no fewer than 65 persons in various camps were being treated for dysentery and diarrhoea.

“There are already high cases of cholera among victims of the flood” she said.

The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Mallam Idi Waziri, who led a delegation to assess the level of damage done by the flood, said the government would support the victims.

Death toll hits 47

Meanwhile, Nine more bodies were recovered on Tuesday, taking the death toll from Sunday evening’s floods in Rikkos, Gangere and Angwan Rogo areas of Jos North  to 47,  while the number of displaced persons hit 3,000.

The acting Zonal Coordinator for North Central of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mohammed Abdulsalam, who confirmed the account, said that the nine bodies were “pulled out of the rubble of caved in buildings on Monday evening”.

According to him, more casualties would have been recorded if some residents had not relocated to the homes of friends in other parts of the local government. He further said over 200 houses were destroyed.

“So far we have 47 persons confirmed dead and about 36 still missing. We have over 3,000 people in displaced camps and the immediate concern is to give them some comfort by providing relief materials” he said.

The NEMA chief added that searches were still on  to find those reported missing  by their families.

 

 

Aso Rock may be flooded – Ministry of Environment

The Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted that heavy rainfall and flooding would occur in 18 states if adequate precautions are not taken between now and July 20.

The Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department,  Morohunkeji Oyeleke,  disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to her,  the areas to be affected are Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Ribah, Rijau, Wara and Sakaba in Kebbi.

Others are Asokoro, Aso Rock, Garki 1 and 2, Gwarinpa, Kubwa, Mabushi, Maitama in FCT and Hadeja, Gumel and Miga in Jigawa.

She also listed Goronyo, Gunmi, Shagari, Shinkafi, Wamakko, Silame in Sokoto; Bindawa, Katsina, Jibia and Kaita in Katsina State as well as Echara, Onu-Ebonyi in Ebonyi.

Others are Eti-osa, Ikorodu, Surulere in Lagos; Gwarzo and Karaye in Kano State; Jamaare in Bauchi State; Mutum biyu in Taraba; New Bussa in Kwara; and Shendam in Plateau.

The deputy director appealed to governments of the respective states to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid loss of lives and property.