The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has mobilised its officials across the six area councils following warnings of potential flooding in the federal capital.
A statement signed on Monday by Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs of FEMD, stated that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) issued a weather outlook indicating that isolated thunderstorms are likely to occur on Monday in parts of the FCT, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau.
According to the statement, NiMet warned that strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are expected and urged the public to take adequate precautions.
NiMet also predicted similar weather conditions for Tuesday June 25 and Wednesday June 26, 2024.
“A weather outlook issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency NiMet and made available to FEMD says isolated thunderstorms are likely today over parts of the FCT, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue and Plateau.
“NiMet advises that strong winds may precede the rains in areas where the thunderstorm are likely to occur and urged the public to take adequate precaution. NiMet also predicts similar weather conditions for Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June 2024.,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the National Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) Center of the Federal Ministry of Environment also predicted that locations in 15 states are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between Monday and Tuesday.
“States like Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna are among States expected to experience heavy flooding.
However, the FCT may experience river flooding from neighbouring States predicted to experience heavy flooding,” she noted
In response to the warnings, the Acting Director General of FEMD, Mrs. Florence Dawon Wenegieme, announced that the department has implemented several mitigating measures across the city.
Wenegieme informed that the search and rescue team are on alert, while local divers have been deployed to vulnerable locations. Adding the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC) in the six area councils and vanguards have been informed and are prepared.
The Ag DG appealed to residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency.