The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer upland regions, following flood warnings issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
Commandant Maku Olatunde gave the advice on Thursday after reviewing the readiness of the Command’s Disaster Management Unit as part of efforts to prevent flood-related emergencies.
As a proactive step, Olatunde said the Corps has launched awareness and advocacy campaigns in high-risk communities to educate residents about the dangers of flooding. He emphasized the importance of heeding relocation advice and adopting safety measures to avoid potential disasters during the rainy season.
He said, “In adherence to our core mandate of disaster prevention, mitigation, and management, the NSCDC advised residents, particularly those living in flood-prone communities, to relocate to safer areas due to the predicted potential flooding warned by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
“The advice is coming after assessing the preparedness of the Command’s Disaster Management Unit as precautionary measures to avert flood disasters.
“The state Commandant has also directed the Deputy Commandant Nnadi Ngozi in charge of Disaster Management Unit to mobilise an emergency team of personnel to flood-prone areas, intensify public awareness and sensitisation campaigns across all media platforms, and collaborate with traditional rulers, President Generals, and other relevant stakeholders in disaster management across the state.
“Consequently, all area commanders and divisional officers, especially those of high-risk zones like Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North and Ogbaru LGA, respectively, have been tasked to activate immediate preparedness and safe evacuation strategies to ensure residents are not caught unaware.”