THE FCT Emergency Management Agency has advised the residents of Kubwa, Gwagwa-Karimo, Kuje, Airport Road and Gwagwalada to be wary of possible flooding.
The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, in a statement made available through their official Facebook page @fctemergencymanagement said that torrential rainfall had increased the water level at the Usuma Dam and spilled into the Usuma River Channel.
“This is to notify the general public that due to the recent torrential rainfall there has been an increase in the water level of the Lower Usuma Dam making the Dam to spill into the Usuma River Channel. People leaving along the Usuma Dam channel will experience an increase in the volume of water along the River Channels.
Areas mostly to be affected are; Kubwa, Gwagwa-Karimo, Kuje, Airport Road and Gwagwalada,” the statement read.
Based on the above, Idriss advised residents of the above settlements to be wary of possible flooding and should also observe the following simple precautions:
“They should observe simple precautions because not all floods are alike. Some develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a minute and without any visible signs of rain.”
He, therefore, enjoined communities to listen to the radio or television for information concerning the flood situation.
“Always be aware that there could be possible flooding. If there is any possibility of that in your area, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.”
He also urged the residents of Kubwa and Kuje to be aware of streams, drainage channels, and other areas prone to sudden flood.
Idriss said that flash floods could occur in those areas with or without such typical warnings.
The director-general also cautioned residents against walking through moving water, adding that six inches of moving water could make people fall.
“Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
“If you do not do that, you and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. After your escape, look for a safe environment, call FEMA RESCUE TEAM on 112 Toll-Free Emergency Number for prompt
response,” the statement said.
It will be recalled that Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) a few days ago alerted Nigerians of more flooding, appealing the 36 states to prepare for the upcoming flooding as the Rivers Benue and Niger keeps rising.
Similarly, a story by The ICIR in May confirmed that most drainages in Abuja were clogged with a mass of wastes, causing water to find unplanned paths to pass.
“Once you block the natural path where water can pass, what it would result to is flooding,” said John Harry, National Secretary of the Nigerian Environmental Society.
Abeeb Alawiye formerly works with The ICIR as a Reporter/Social Media officer. Now work as a Senior Journalist with BBC News Yoruba. You can shoot him an email via [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @habsonfloww