The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has warned residents of Rivers State of looming floods within the next four weeks.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Adebiyi Razak, gave the warning on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
According to him, NEMA had already begun preparing residents to mitigate the impact of the floods as the intensity of rainfall increases in the South-South, particularly in Rivers.
“In the next four weeks, the intensity of the rain will be high in Rivers, and we have already sensitised people in areas prone to flash floods.
“We have visited Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Andoni, Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas, as well as coastal areas that are likely to be impacted.
“Tai has experienced flash floods, and two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps have been identified in the area,” he said.
The South-South NEMA boss said a significant water rise in the region was imminent, especially as heavy rains in the North were draining into the South-South.
Razak added that NEMA had already started stockpiling essential items to support local authorities if the need arises.
The state coordinator said the agency was working closely with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and LG councils to mitigate the impact of the impending floods.