Rivers State Government Launched 2023 Flood Mitigation Road Map

Following the early flood alert announced by NEMA, states in Nigeria are making preparations and arrangements ahead of the impending flood waters expected to come from the Cameroon Lagdo Dam and the September heavy downpour.

As the water levels around the coastal communities increases over the week, the nightmare witnessed in the 2022 flood is becoming obvious. The sacking of communities, destruction of farmlands and property as well as source of livelihood seems to be a recurring decimal in Nigeria.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, 13 out of the 18 frontline states will be more devastated as river Niger is already experiencing flooding. The 18 most vulnerable states forecasted to be directly affected by the impending flood includes Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.

In a prompt response to the threat of the impending flood due to the September unprecedented heavy downpour and the devastating effects of the opening of the Cameroon Lagdo Dam. The responsive government of Rivers state under the watch of His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara has lauched the 2023 Flood Mitigation Road Map. A proactive initiative aimed at combating the effect of the 2023 flooding in the state.

Critical stakeholders have been mobilised and furnished with the necessary tools, awareness and resources that will enable them withstand the natural disaster when it occurs.

The Rivers State government through it State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had embarked on flood campaign awareness advising those living in the riverine and flood-prone areas to prepare for relocation into the Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDP) camps located in their respective LGA’s, as relief materials has also been released for distribution to the affected areas to cushion the adverse effects of the flood on the victims. Encouraging flood prone communities to open up their canals, drainages and natural water ways to allow for a free flow of the much anticipated flooding.

The Rivers State government in it willingness and commitment in securing life’s and properties have provided the necessary logistics needed in containing the 2023 flood in the 19 flood prone Local Government Area’s of the state.