Flood: Agency Calls For States Emergency Response

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has called on State governments to respond to the sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger.

Director General, NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, made the call in an Emergency Coordination Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.

He said “the sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states.”

While noting that upsurge of water may also affect states downstream of the River Benue, Mr Ahmed urged the State and Local Governments along the plains to be on alert and immediately activate their response plans to avert potential damage and losses.

Giving an update from the Agency’s situation room dashboard, the Director General disclosed that this year’s flood has affected 159,157 persons, resulting in the loss of 28 persons and displacement of 48,168 individuals in 13 states.

Shakirat Sadiq