The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a call for residents in Rivers and Bayelsa States to move to higher ground, warning of a heightened risk of flooding during the ongoing rainy season.
This advisory was delivered by NEMA’s South-South Zonal Coordinator, Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, during a press briefing held in Port Harcourt on Friday, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The warning comes in response to a recent flood outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Institute (NIMET), which named 30 states, including Rivers and Bayelsa, as being particularly susceptible to flooding this year. Ebhodaghe noted that the coastal geography of both states, combined with intense rainfall patterns, places them at increased risk.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of Rivers and Bayelsa to relocate to higher ground over the impending flooding in both states.
“Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, made the remark during a news conference held on Friday in Port Harcourt.
Ebhodaghe highlighted that coastal states such as Bayelsa and Rivers were likely to experience significant flooding during the current rainy season,” the NAN report read in part.
As part of efforts to mitigate the forecasted impact, NEMA has already begun outreach initiatives across vulnerable communities. The awareness campaign is aimed at reducing loss of life and damage to property by encouraging early preparedness and relocation.
In addressing NIMET’s projection, Ebhodaghe explained that NEMA has engaged with stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels to bolster coordinated emergency response measures. He said the agency had mapped out flood-prone localities across both Rivers and Bayelsa and had rolled out targeted education drives to improve public understanding of flood risk.
Particular attention, he said, is being paid to high-risk communities within Rivers State, where teams are actively encouraging residents to evacuate early, take safety precautions, and ready themselves for the anticipated floods.
Although he acknowledged that flooding remains largely unavoidable in some areas, Ebhodaghe emphasised that its impact could be significantly reduced through early warnings and prompt evacuation. To support this, NEMA has established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across 15 local government areas deemed most vulnerable.
He also pointed to NEMA’s close collaboration with local actors such as traditional leaders, youth organisations, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). These partnerships, he said, are central to promoting a culture of disaster readiness at the grassroots level. Key focus areas include improving community waste management practices and ensuring regular maintenance of drainage systems.
Ebhodaghe concluded by reiterating the importance of keeping drainage pathways clear of waste, noting that blocked channels are a major contributor to urban flooding. He maintained that consistent waste disposal and the upkeep of drainage infrastructure are essential in reducing the risk of future flooding incidents.