By Stanley Onyekwere
Following the prediction of flash floods from expected heavy to moderate rainfall today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its contiguous States, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed its search and rescue team on alert.
Making this disclosure Friday, noted that the impact based weather forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), predicts flash floods, riverine flooding,strong winds, soil erosion as well as thunder and lightening.
The Agency added that the NiMET impact based weather forecast also anticipates low to moderate rainfall on Sunday 22nd, 2023 in parts of the FCT and it’s neighbouring States.
A statement from Head, FEMA’s Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, added that the forecast also anticipates displacements of people due to floods, outbreak of water borne diseases and damages to infrastructure.
The statement explains that while reacting to the early warning, the FEMA Director General, Dr. Abbas Garba Idriss, who placed the staff on the alert, also directed an update of the Agency’s flood contingency plans.
Idriss however, appealed to residents to heed the early warning and avoid driving or wading into a pool of water during the rains.
He also urged FCT residents to wait out the rains during heavy floods or use an alternative route.
According to the FEMA DG, all blocked drains must be cleared adding that people who reside on water channels must relocate.
He therefore emphasized the need for residents to always dial the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency.
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