The Director General of FCT Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, on Tuesday, raised the alarm about the heavy floods within the FCT and neighboring Nasarawa State and warned that it will be devastating.
The agency, however, urged the residents living within the danger-prone flooding areas to be careful.
According to FEMA, the impact-based weather forecast issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency,(Nimet), expects moderate to heavy rainfall over the FCT and Nasarawa State between the 16th to the 18th of August 2022.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Head, Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, said the Director General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, while reacting to the high impact based forecast by Nimet, said the warning is coming very early adding that all relevant SDA’s should be on high alert and get prepared with a view to mitigating possible flooding in and around the FCT.
“This is another early warning, that requires all relevant Secretariat, Department, and Agencies SDA’s to be on high alert and get prepared with a view to mitigating possible flooding in and around the FCT. The day in focus is Thursday”. He said.
“As a result of the heavy rains expected in the next 96 hours, there are chances of flash flooding of roads, low lying settlements, and river channels.
“The moderate to heavy rains are expected to be accompanied by strong winds.”
The Director General, however, appealed to the residents, “to avoid low lying terrains, not to drive through running water, clear waterways of debris, avoid standing under trees and unsecured structures during the rains.”
Idriss also called the Abuja residents to switch off electrical appliances before the rains and during the rains to avoid electric shock.
According to the DG, all hands must be on deck to avoid damage from weather-related hazards and to watch out for more updates and “Early Warning Messages.”
The DG stated that the weather-related disasters underscore the importance of dialing the 112 Toll-Free emergency number in the event of any threat.
Idriss appreciated the sustainable cordial working relationship with NiMet for their daily update on the weather condition to keep FCT safe from flooding and other weather-related hazards.
The Agency added that to mitigate the anticipated heavy floods, the FCT Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), has put its divers, rescuers, and vanguard on red alert.