Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has called on residents of flood-prone communities across Nigeria to take immediate precautionary measures, heed official warning alerts and relocate to safer locations as heavy rainfall continues to heighten the risk of flooding nationwide.
She said the increasing intensity of the rains requires communities vulnerable to flooding to activate preventive measures capable of reducing the devastating impact of floods on lives and property.
In a public advisory, Mrs. Umar urged residents to pay close attention to early warning information issued by relevant government agencies and to move to higher ground whenever there is a threat of flooding rather than waiting until conditions become life-threatening.
She also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against attempting to drive or walk through floodwaters, warning that such actions often result in avoidable tragedies. She further advised the public to desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels, noting that blocked waterways significantly worsen flooding in urban and rural communities alike.
The NEMA Director General emphasised that preparedness, timely evacuation and strict adherence to safety advisories remain the most effective strategies for preventing loss of lives and minimising the destruction associated with flooding during the peak of the rainy season.
To strengthen the country’s flood preparedness, Mrs. Umar disclosed that NEMA’s Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations Offices have been directed to intensify community-based sensitisation campaigns on flood risk management across the federation.
According to her, the agency is also reinforcing collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), traditional institutions and other critical stakeholders to improve preparedness, enhance early response mechanisms and coordinate prompt search-and-rescue operations whenever emergencies occur.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to closely monitoring the flood situation nationwide, assuring Nigerians that the agency will continue working with relevant partners to ensure timely emergency response and provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by flooding.
The renewed appeal comes as the rainy season enters its peak, with authorities urging residents in vulnerable areas to prioritise safety by acting promptly on official flood warnings before disaster strikes.
