Be alert, report unusual rise of rivers, Imo govt tell flood prone communities

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Owerri, May. 24, 2021

Imo government has charged flood prone communities in the state to be vigilant and report any unusual rise of rivers within the boundaries of the state to appropriate authorities.

Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Hope Uzodimma on Social Development and Humanitarian Services Mrs Calista Ahmed gave the advice on Monday when she paid a visit to some flood prone communities in Oguta council area.

She warned against building houses on waterways and urged those living in flood endangered areas to consider relocating to safer ground.

She said the early warning visit was in preparation against the Federal Government’s prediction, where Imo was listed among states prone to heavy flooding in 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Water Resources recently released the 2021 annual flood outlook and listed Imo among 27 states prone to heavy flooding in 2021.

It will be recalled that flood related disaster has been a yearly occurrence in Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema LGA, with no fewer than 30 houses submerged in 2020.

Ahmed said her focus was to ensure that prone communities are not caught unaware by the prediction in 2021, adding that she will continue to liaise with prone communities to avert the likely disaster.

“In a bid to assist Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s administration to succeed, I have taken campaign against flooding and early warning measures to prone communities.

“It’s better to prevent disaster than to send relief materials to victims, so my office is poised to ensuring that our people does not fall victim of flood again”, she said.

She also advised disaster managers to remain alert incase of any emergency, while also commending Gov. Hope Uzodimma for showing interest in the welfare of the less privileged Imo.