The National Emergency Management Agency has said it will embark on massive sensitisation in some council areas in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states following the 2026 flood prediction.
The Information Officer of NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office, Mr Ezeani Nnanyelugo, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Enugu.
He said the agency, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, would carry out robust sensitisation across the affected states.
Nnanyelugo said the move followed the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, released on February 10 and April 15, respectively.
According to him, both agencies predicted high rainfall and a high risk of flooding in the three states under NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office.
“We have fliers on flood risk reduction activities and actions in both English and the Igbo language to distribute to flood-prone communities identified in the prediction,” he said.
Nnanyelugo added that the agency had commenced public enlightenment on the prediction through television, radio and online platforms.
“Recently, the NEMA South-East Zonal Director and Information Officer shared information on NTA on NEMA’s preparedness plan.
“NEMA is also partnering with NiMet and NIHSA officials to ensure that their predictions are discussed among stakeholders at various meetings, trainings and workshops to reduce flood risk in the states,” he said.
Nnanyelugo further disclosed that the agency would conduct flood sensitisation programmes, including drills and simulation exercises, in major flood-prone council areas.
He said NEMA had begun downscaling early flood warnings to identified hotspot council areas and would soon commence direct communication with relevant authorities and communities.
“We have started sharing weekly forecast alerts from NiMet and NIHSA with relevant stakeholders via WhatsApp platforms and meetings, notwithstanding numerous stakeholder engagements. The public is advised to stay informed,” Nnanyelugo said.
He added that the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, had reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with international humanitarian organisations, including KSRelief, UNOCHA, the World Food Programme and the International Organisation for Migration.
According to him, the partnerships are aimed at enhancing service delivery and supporting vulnerable populations across the country.
“We will partner with various state emergency management agencies and community leaders to identify higher grounds, assess the condition of existing Internally Displaced Persons camps, and update stakeholders’ equipment holdings,” he added.
(NAN)
