The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Bayelsa on Monday in Yenagoa said flood has taken over farmlands and households in some communities in the state, due to constant rain being experienced in the state.

Mr. Angus Lugard, Secretary of SEMA said that the most affected communities were Agbura and Amarata in Yenagoa local government areas.

Lugard said the agency was set to visit the affected communities to ascertain the extent of the damage.

“We have not known the extent of the damage, but as I am talking to you, some households and farmlands have been submerged in these communities.

“Bayelsa as one of the coastal states is highly prone to flooding, this kind of disaster happens here frequently because we are in the flood plains and the state is below sea levels.

“The flooding itself is almost affecting every nook and crannies of the state, but the most affected areas now are Agbura and Amarata,’’ he said.

On how to mitigate the effect, Lugard, said they were calling on federal and state governments also private organisations for assistance to cushion the effect of the flooding on the victims.

“We have been advising the people on measures to checkmate such disaster; state government is trying on their part and had embarked on opening of drainages which is still on-going.

“We need support from the National Emergency Management Agency to facilitate our efforts to lessen the effect also relief items should be made available for us for easy distributions.

“There is need for continue sensitisation to flooding, especially for the coastal residents across the country, but we are constrained by lack of fund, we need fund to function effectively,” he said.

•Photo shows flooded area.

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