Heavy Rainfall Coming, FG Warns 31 Communities In 31 States To Vacate..

Heavy Rainfall Coming, FG Warns 31 Communities In 31 States To Vacate..

Heavy rainfall is coming this month, and the federal government has identified and warned 31 communities and 14 states to vacate their areas.

It identified the affected communities as living in flood plains which might spell disaster should they fail to evacuate before the heavy rainfall begins.

Giving the warning, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the early warning had become imperative to avoid states, neigbourhoods and people being trapped in the envisaged deluge.

’In a statement, it said the rains were expected from july 4 to 8, identifying the communities and states to include Langtang, Shendam in Plateau State; Sumaila, Tudun Wada in Kano; Shagari, Goronyo, Silame in Sokoto; Okwe, Delta State; Kachia, Kaduna State; Upenekang in Akwa Ibom; Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta and Yola in Adamawa State and Katsina, Jibia, Kaita, Bindawa all in Katsina State.

Others include Wara, Yelwa, and Gwandu in Kebbi; Shinkafi and Gummi in Zamfara; Briyel, Borno State; Gwaram in Jigawa; Jebba, Kwara State and Mashegu, Kontagora in Niger State.

While urging relevant stakeholders within the states concerned to take precautionary measures to forestall the loss of lives and property, the Territorial Coordinator of NEMA, Lagos Territorial Office, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye Farinloye, also thanked the Flood Early Warning System Central Hub of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, for sharing the information.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary for the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency, Hajiya Binta Dangani, has confirmed the death of a one year old boy who drowned in the course of the heavy rainfall of yesterday.

According to her, the baby was on his mother’s shoulder before he slipped from her hands and fell into the flood which swept him away.

“The mother of the boy was carrying him on her shoulder while she had another baby strapped to her back.

“Unfortunately, the boy slipped from the mother’s shoulder and fell into the flood while efforts to rescue him failed. The house where the incident happened is close to a stream.

“So, this morning,  I was at the house to commiserate with the family and also to sensitise residents about the need to be careful since we are already in the rainy season”.