The FCT and other close-by states are anticipated to face heavy to moderate rainfall and flash floods on Saturday (today) and Sunday, July 23, 2023, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
This was said in a statement Friday in Abuja that was signed by Nkechi Isa, the head of public affairs at FEMA.
The warning was issued in response to a forecast from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which indicated that portions of the states of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, would see flash floods, strong winds, and soil erosion.
“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.
Flash floods, riverine flooding, severe winds, soil erosion, as well as thunder and lightning, are all predicted by NiMET’s impact-based weather forecast.
The projection also accounts for population relocating due to flooding, waterborne disease outbreaks, and infrastructure damage.
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 Director-General also urged residents to pay attention to early warnings and refrain from driving or walking through standing water during rainfall.
Additionally, residents were advised to wait for heavy floods to subside or take an alternate route.
He stressed the importance of residents consistently utilising the toll-free emergency number, 112, provided by the agency in case of emergencies.
