Relocate Upland to Safer Ground, Red Cross Tells Residents of Flood Prone Communities as NiMet Raises Flood Alert

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Enugu Chapter has asked residents of flood prone areas in Enugu State to relocate to safer ground as it aims to avert loss of lives and properties in the event of flood.

The call was made when the group embarked on a sensitization campaign in Enugu along with other stakeholders to educate the residents on flood preparedness, mitigation and response.

It comes after predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that 2020 will witness heavy rainfall with potential flood.

Speaking during the exercise, the Disaster Management Coordinator of the Red Cross in Enugu, Michael Morris admonished members of the public to be observant and on alert throughout the rainy season and report any flood incident to the appropriate authorities.

Morris said, “From the reports we have, we are expecting a rise in water level any time soon and it is important that we prepare ourselves, to avoid been taken unawares by flood.

“When we know what to do before, during and after flood, it reduces the amount of what could be lost in the process and we advise that communities take this message seriously and report any flood incident to the appropriate authority.”

Also speaking, the South-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Fred Anusim said that the exercise was part of the Agency’s proactive measures to send early warning messages to communities on the imminent flooding as predicted.

Anusim noted that the essence of the massive sensitization was to save lives and property.

While advising state governments to open up blocked drainage and provide proper waste management practices, Anusim further urged those in flood prone areas to migrate upland to safer ground.

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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