Flood: NEMA Reveals LGAs To Witness Flood In Zamfara

Residents in Zamfara State has been alerted over possible floods that could cause havoc in seven local government area councils of the state.

The development was revealed following a flood alert reportedly issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET.

Speaking on the expected horrible event, the State Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ezekiel Manzo, told the state government to get ready for possible water floods in 7 LGAs in the state.

According to Manzo in an interaction with reporters on Monday, July 20 in Gusau, the state capital, NIMET in its yearly Seasonal Rainfall Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook disclosed that the seven LGAs which include; Bakura, Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi, Tsafe, Birnin-Magaji and Gusau LGAs will be affected by the heavy floods.

He said, “The Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) has written an alert letter to Zamfara State government on LGAs at risk of flooding in this year’s rainy season to prepare and mitigate against the occurrence.”

“The NEMA D-G also requested the state government to kindly take proactive and necessary measures in addressing these issues.”

Manzo noted that the awareness was important so as to get the government prepared for the possible flood in the identified local government areas and communities.

He added, “NEMA is, therefore, calling on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), front-line Local Government Authorities, and other response agencies to be prepared.

“We are calling on authorities to carry out public enlightenment campaigns, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground. The state government should identify high grounds for possible Internally Displaced Persons camps, to shelter evacuated communities.”

The PRO again admonished the Zamfara state government and stakeholders to ensure that proper drainage systems constructed in the state so there could be easy water flow to avoid further floods.

He said, “Government and other stakeholders should ensure desilting river channels and canals, removal of all refuse and weeds from water channels, drains, and all avenues for river runoffs so as to allow free flow of floodwaters.”

Meanwhile, Naija News reported earlier that heavy downpour in Gashua, a town in the Bade local government area of Yobe State has sent residents homeless as the whole community is said to be flooded.