FEMA warns of heavy rainfall in FCT, nearby states

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FEMA warns of heavy rainfall in FCT, nearby states

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has warned that the FCT and other nearby states are expected to experience heavy to moderate rainfalls and flash floods on Saturday (today) and Sunday, July 23, 2023.

This was contained in a statement signed by FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, in Abuja, on Friday.

According to the statement, the warning followed a forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which predicted flash floods, strong winds and soil erosion in parts of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba States, and the FCT.

“The Federal Capital Territory and states contiguous with it are expected to experience heavy to moderate rainfall tomorrow. A statement by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency also anticipates moderate to heavy rains in parts of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba states,” the statement read in part.

The impact-based weather forecast by NiMET predicts flash floods, riverine flooding, strong winds, soil erosion as well as thunder and lightning. The forecast also anticipates displacements of people due to floods, outbreaks of waterborne diseases and damages to infrastructure.

Similarly, NiMET impact-based weather forecast also anticipates low to moderate rainfall on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in parts of the FCT and its neighbouring States”

Reacting to the warnings, the statement also stated that the Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, Dr.Abbas Idriss, “has placed the agency’s search and rescue teams on high alert” and that he had also “directed an update of the agency’s flood contingency plans”.

The DG also appealed to residents to heed the early warnings and “avoid driving or wading into a pool of water during the rains,” and to wait out the rains during heavy floods, or use an alternative route.

He emphasised the need for residents to always dial the 112 emergency toll-free number of the agency in the event of an emergency.