The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the Zamfara Government to prepare for possible floods in seven local government areas of the state.
NEMA’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ezekiel Manzo, told newsmen in Gusau on Monday, that a flood alert had been issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency(NIMET).
According to him, Nimet in its yearly Seasonal Rainfall Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook listed the seven LGAs as Bakura, Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi, Tsafe, Birnin-Magaji and Gusau LGAs.
He said “The Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) has written an alert letter to Zamfara State government on LGAs at risk of flooding in this year’s rainy season to prepare and mitigate against the occurrence.
“The NEMA D-G also requested the state government to kindly take proactive and necessary measures in addressing these issues.
“You know, this is part of the awareness creation on the predicted flood for necessary actions by the state government in the identified local government areas and communities.
“NEMA is, therefore, calling on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), front-line Local Government Authorities, and other response agencies to be prepared.
“We are calling on authorities to carry out public enlightenment campaigns, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground.
“The state government should identify high grounds for possible Internally Displaced Persons camps, to shelter evacuated communities.”
He also urged the government and stakeholders to ensure that proper drainage systems are been built for easy water flow.
“Government and other stakeholders should ensure desilting river channels and canals, removal of all refuse and weeds from water channels, drains, and all avenues for river runoffs so as to allow free flow of floodwaters,” he added.
