FEMA issues warning of strong winds in 12 states
Story from Haruna YUSUF
The Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) has warned that states surrounding the Federal Capital Territory will experience strong winds within the next three days.
In a statement signed by FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, on Wednesday, the agency said it was issuing the warning following an impact-based weather forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
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“States contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory, like Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna are to experience very strong winds within the next three days. Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Borno and Adamawa states will also experience strong winds.
The forecast warns that moderate risk hazards may occur due to the strong winds,” the statement read.
According to the forecast, the strong winds may likely cause displacements of people and isolated cases of damage to weak structures.
“Mindful of the fact that climatic changes in some of these states, particularly Nasarawa, may impact the Federal Capital Territory, FEMA is closely monitoring the situation,” it added.
Meanwhile, FEMA Director General, Dr Abbas Idriss, said the agency’s Search and Rescue teams had been placed on high alert and warned residents to “exercise caution during heavy rains and to avoid driving in a pool of water.
He also appealed to residents to clear blocked drains and to avoid building on water channels, while assuring them of the agency’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and also urged the use of the 112 toll-free number in the event of an emergency.