The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has advised residents living in riverine communities across Anambra State to remain vigilant and adequately prepared to relocate to higher grounds should the water level of the River Niger rise beyond the safe limit.

The Head of Enugu Operations Office of NEMA, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe, gave the warning on Sept. 4 during a monitoring visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, where the agency inspected the water gauge to ascertain the current level and assess the possibility of flooding in vulnerable riverine communities.

Madukwe explained that the water level of the River Niger was gradually rising, but stressed that the situation remained within the safe limit at the time of the assessment, urging residents and relevant stakeholders to remain alert and avoid actions that could expose communities to unnecessary flood risks.

She said the monitoring exercise was part of proactive measures being undertaken by NEMA and its partners to closely observe developments around the River Niger and provide early warning information to communities that could potentially be affected if the water level continues to increase.

According to her, NEMA, in collaboration with the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, inspected the water level of the River Niger as part of ongoing efforts to assess the prevailing flood situation and strengthen disaster preparedness across the state.

The NEMA official noted that regular monitoring of the water gauge was important because timely information on rising water levels would enable emergency management authorities to identify potential threats early and activate appropriate response mechanisms before the situation becomes critical.

Madukwe urged residents of riverine communities, particularly those living close to the River Niger and other flood-prone areas, to pay close attention to official information from emergency management authorities and be prepared to move to safer locations whenever necessary.

She emphasized that preparedness remained essential in reducing the impact of disasters, stressing that residents should not wait until floodwaters had entered their homes or communities before taking precautionary measures, especially when early warning information had been provided.

She further explained that the information obtained from the monitoring exercise would assist NEMA, SEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other relevant stakeholders in strengthening their preparedness plans and taking timely decisions should the water level rise beyond the established safe threshold.

Madukwe therefore appealed to residents to remain calm but vigilant, cooperate with emergency management authorities and take all necessary precautionary measures, assuring them that relevant agencies would continue monitoring the River Niger and provide updates whenever significant changes were observed.

Chinyere Nwoye is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State