The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has told people living in flood-prone areas of Abia State to leave those locations and move to safer places for their own safety.

This advice was shared through an official statement released by the Abia State NSCDC Commandant, Akinsola Aderemi. The statement was made at the NSCDC office in Abia and signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Doreen Udugwu.

Commandant Aderemi explained that the alert became necessary after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) predicted serious flooding in some parts of the state starting from August.

To act quickly on this warning, the NSCDC said it has activated its Disaster Management Unit. This unit will work with local officers and commanders across the state’s 17 local government areas to educate people about the risk of flooding.

The command said the campaign is to teach people how to prepare for floods and reduce the dangers they may face. They also want residents to know what to do in case flooding happens in their area.

Commandant Aderemi added that the NSCDC is fully committed to protecting everyone in Abia State. He promised that his officers would continue working hard to keep lives and properties safe throughout this period of possible flooding.

NIHSA and NiMET have listed nine areas in Abia State that could face serious flooding. These include Aba North, Isiala Ngwa North, Isuikwuato, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and Arochukwu.

Residents in these local government areas are strongly advised to take this warning seriously and move to safer locations before the floods start.