The Yobe State Government has put in place safety measures to protect citizens after the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicts possible flash floods in Yobe and 32 other states within the next three days.
The SSA on Digital & Strategic Communications to Yobe State governor, Yusuf Ali, said the agencies in a statement issued on Tuesday revealed that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods in states such as Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi.
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Others are Gombe, Kebbi, Niger, FCT, Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, and Ogun.
The agencies also listed Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Abia, and Rivers States.
The Nigeria Meteorological and Hydrological Agencies further cautioned that the slim chances of a flash floods could be more pronounced on settlements, farmlands, roads, and bridges.
Following these predictions, there is a need for the general public, especially residents of the state to prepare for the likely impact of this year’s weather pattern.
Due to the predictiton, Yobe residents in areas that are prone to flooding such as Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, Fika, Gaidam, Damagum, Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu local governments and those living near flood plains are advised to take precautionary measures during this season.
In its commitment to the protection of lives and properties of residents of the state through various interventions, the Yobe State Government has taken measures for an effective emergency management system, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and partnership with NEMA.
The SEMA is always on alert as its works round the clock on disaster management, mitigation, recovery, and provisions of relief materials to victims.
Malam Ali disclosed that the state government would establish Local Government Emergency Management Committees (LGEMC) at the local government to provide first aid support to victims of the disaster at the grassroots before support from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Following the notable efforts of the state government on flood disaster, prevention, management, and mitigation, citizens have been urged to stop the habit of dumping refuse on the road and drainage channels while residents in flood-prone areas must make adequate preparation to safeguard the vulnerable members of the community such as children, the elderly and physically challenged people.
He said the local government environmental and sanitation boards and Community Development Associations (CDAs) will be required to educate their members on the need to clean their drainages and remove properties constituting restrictions to drainage channels and stop building on waterways.
Similarly, farmers, especially those along the coastal areas and riverbanks are implored to take adequate advantage of the weather outlook and plan the planting and harvest properly to prevent damages to their crops and livestock.
The government urged motorists and pedestrians to be mindful of the peculiarities of the season and be safety conscious while commuting during this period.
