Environment
By Anthony Isibor
FOLLOWING the 2023 seasonal rainfall prediction and annual flood outlook by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, and Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency, NIHSA, the Anambra State Government has alerted residents on the need to be prepared.
NIMET and NIHSA had earlier warned that there would be high rainfall and flood across the country this year.
According to a circular signed by Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information, the high flood risk areas in Anambra State that could be flood hit include: Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala Local Government Areas.
Nwosu therefore called on the residents of the affected areas to ensure that they follow the flood mitigation measures as issued by the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA.
They are:
i. Make concrete plans for timely harvesting and evacuation of your farm produce and livestock to avoid losses. Do not wait until the flood comes to harvest.
ii. Make concrete plans to secure your household properties and essential belongings as much as possible before the flood actually sets in.
iii. Plan ahead to get your family as well as the aged, the sick, pregnant women, infants and children evacuated well on time to safety nets ( IDP CAMPS provided by the ANSG Government) to avoid preventable loss of lives. Timely evacuation is key.
iv. De-silting of water channels should be done continuously as huge amount of silt is deposited in water channels after rainfall.
v. People should stop constructing in water plains and across water channels.
vi. Clear gutters and drainages: do not dispose your thrash in gutters or drainage.
Tags: NIHSA NIMET Paul Nwosu
