Residents in floodplains across 20 states have begun relocating following a recent warning of impending floods in the states by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

In its July flood alert released on Monday, NiMet listed Sokoto, Lagos, Edo, Benue, Yobe, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, Ondo, Adamawa, and Nasarawa among the states likely to experience flash floods due to imminent heavy rainfall in the coming months.

The agency urged residents in the affected areas to relocate where necessary, clear drainage systems, prepare emergency kits, turn off electricity and gas during flooding, reinforce mudslide prevention efforts, and promote community awareness.

The PUNCH reported that despite over N620bn in ecological funds accruing to state governments from 2012 to date, responses from the sub-nationals have consistently fallen short of expectations, making flood disasters a recurring national tragedy.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH indicated that, following NiMet?s recent flood alerts, some residents in the affected states have begun relocating from floodplains as advised.

Lagos allays fears

Some parts of Lagos, one of the high-risk states, experienced flash flooding earlier in the week. However, the state government attributed the situation to rising tide levels from the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagos Lagoon, adding that emergency response and drainage maintenance teams were on the ground, actively monitoring the situation to minimise any prolonged disruption.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday.

?The Lagos State Government wishes to inform the public that the flash flooding currently being experienced in parts of the city is due to increased tidal levels from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagos Lagoon,? he wrote, urging residents to remain calm.

Wahab also warned residents against dumping waste into gutters and drainage channels, stressing that such actions impede water flow and exacerbate flooding.

Operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang from the state Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, on Monday, intensified efforts to clear blocked drains in parts of the state, including Ajegunle (Ifelodun LCDA), Meiran (Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA), Lewis Street by Beecroft Street (Lagos Island), Ayinke Timson Drive (Amuwo Odofin LGA), and Samuel Manuwa Street (Ikoyi-Obalende, Eti-Osa).

However, a resident in the Lekki area of the state, Olumide Samuel, said he had begun plans to relocate his family to another part of the state to avert any danger.

?Every year, Lagos comes under heavy flooding, and my area is always affected. Though the state government is making efforts, they need to do more.

?In the interim, I?ve moved my family to stay with my mum. It?s something we do every year, pending when the water dries off,? the resident said.

Kaduna residents vacate floodplains

In Kaduna, residents are taking the recent flood alerts seriously, with some already adopting preventive steps to safeguard their lives and property.

A resident of Kigo Road New Extension, Lola Seriki, said although she planned to flee to higher ground, she had cleared the gutters around her home to prevent water build-up during heavy rainfall.

?I have started preparing to remove my valuables and relocate to my sister?s house in Sabo Tasha. I?m getting ready to leave for a safer area,? she told our correspondent.

Another resident, Abdul Alabi, a civil servant living in the Kurmin-Mashi area, said he was preparing for the worst.

?As someone living in a flood-prone area, I?ll evacuate my valuables. No preparation is ever enough. Even if you clear your own gutters, your neighbours may not,? he said.

Alabi warned that many people in vulnerable areas often ignore early warnings and only act when it?s too late.

?In most cases, those in flood-prone areas suffer losses because they?re never prepared. My next step is to relocate permanently,? he added.

Also, Mallam Haruna Lawal, a resident of Romi in Kaduna South LGA, said he had moved some belongings to a safe location.

?We hear these warnings every year, yet water still gets into our homes. I?ve already moved some items to my brother?s house in Barnawa. The government should go beyond warnings; we need permanent drainage solutions,? he said.

A food vendor in Rido, Hauwa Yakubu, urged the government to act swiftly, saying the imminent flood may cause her major losses.

?If flooding comes again like last year, I?ll lose everything. I?m already seeing water gathering near the gutters. The government should help with relocation, not just statements,? she said.

However, a tailor from the Kigo Road community, Joseph Audu, said the government?s awareness campaign had been helpful and prompted him to take precautions.

?I attended a sensitisation programme by SEMA last week. They told us where to go if the flooding gets worse. At least this year, they came early. I?ve raised my machines on blocks, just in case,? he said.

Corroborating this, the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency assured residents that the government has taken concrete steps to mitigate the flood?s impact.

In an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, the agency?s Public Relations Officer, Phillips Dominic, outlined several measures taken by the state government in partnership with stakeholders.

?Apart from our campaign on social media, we?ve also been airing flood sensitisation messages on radio and TV stations in the state,? Dominic said.

He disclosed that the state government had approved the establishment of Safe Haven Centres across flood-prone LGAs, with the sites already identified and mapped out in collaboration with emergency response agencies.

?We mapped out the Safe Haven Centres in partnership with NEMA, the Federal Fire Service, and the State Fire Service,? he explained.

He added that search and rescue teams are on red alert, while the ongoing dredging of the River Kaduna is aimed at improving water flow and reducing flood risks.

?This week and last week, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, supervised dredging from the city to the airport area to allow water flow during heavy rainfall,? he said.

Dominic further urged residents to heed advisories and cooperate with officials when asked to vacate their homes.

Fear grips Ondo residents

Residents of some communities in Ondo State have urged the state government to be more proactive in preventing floods.

Last week, flooding reportedly destroyed property worth millions of naira in Owo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese Odo LGAs.

Residents want the government to prevent a repeat of the disaster with concrete measures.

A resident of Eyin Ala in Akure, the state capital, Mrs. Felicia Oke, whose house is a few metres from a river, said her family was already considering relocating to safer ground.

?Although we?ve not experienced flooding this year, whenever it rains heavily, I get scared because anything can happen. We?re already looking for a house in another area to move to soon,? she said.

In the Okitipupa community, Mr. Ayo Adunola said he had moved some of his property after the last flood incident.

?We are begging the government to rescue us. I can?t move my house, but I?ve taken out some belongings, and I rarely sleep here now due to fear of flooding,? he stated.

However, the state?s Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Olayide Adelami, said various measures had been taken to prevent flooding.

Speaking through his media aide, Mr. JohnPaul Akinduro, Adelami said the state government had launched advocacy and sensitisation programmes across the 18 LGAs on environmental sanitation.

?The Ondo State Government, through SEMA, has implemented precautionary steps to prevent flooding this year,? he said.

?SEMA has launched several advocacy programmes in the media to warn people against indiscriminate refuse dumping. It is also working with NEMA and other agencies to clear waterways and begin channelization. So, there?s no cause for alarm regarding flooding in Ondo State.?

Panic in Yobe

Residents in parts of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, also expressed apprehension following intense flooding caused by an inadequate drainage system.

On Monday, the flood affected parts of the city, including Gujba Road, houses behind the Central Bank quarters, and the three-bedroom housing estate extension.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a retired police officer residing in the estate extension, Mohammed Suleiman, blamed the flood on misplaced priorities.

Suleiman lamented that the government had been investing in large-scale projects like flyovers while neglecting critical infrastructure like drainage systems.

?The government should embark on massive drainage projects in Damaturu Township to allow for the free flow of rainwater,? he said.

However, our correspondent gathered that the state government had commenced drainage clearing in parts of the state capital.

This follows last year?s experience when flooding caused significant disruptions in the state.

?We have commenced clearing the drainage to enable the free flow of rainwater, which has since started,? said the contractor handling the project, Wali Abubakar.

He appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities and avoid blocking waterways to prevent flooding in their homes.

Benue parents relocate children

In Benue State, checks by Saturday PUNCH revealed that residents in flood-prone areas have started relocating to safer places.

A resident at New Garage, Abdul Atama, said, ?We?ve been hearing the jingles on the radio, but the government is yet to provide a place for us to move to.

?But I?ve relocated my children to the High Level area where I have a relative, in case the flood comes, as it often does at night.

?I always monitor the water level on River Benue, but for now, I?m still living here with my wife.?

Also speaking, Theresa Albert, who lives with her family at Rice Mill, said since the July flood warning, residents had been on high alert, relocating their children from the floodplains.

?All of us here are always on alert. What many have done is move their kids to safer places where they have relatives. Above all, we?re not sleeping with both eyes closed,? she said.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government said it had commenced mass sensitisation across the state on the imminent flood.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Information Officer of the State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, said the flood-prevention committee meets regularly to review the situation and take necessary actions.

?We?ve begun sensitisation through radio jingles in the state to alert the people to possible flooding, and the committee meets regularly to review the situation,? he said.

Jigawa residents on high alert

In Jigawa State, residents are also on alert following the flood warning.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that some residents are engaging in self-help measures to mitigate the impact, while others are relocating from danger zones.

A resident of Sundumina, Umar Muktar, said he had started clearing his drainage and preparing an emergency kit.

Another resident, Haruna Musa of Kiyawa Town, said he was reinforcing his building and joining the town?s drainage-clearing effort.

Lawan Ahmad of Kiyawa Town expressed concern, saying, ?We?re taking it very seriously and working with the government to ensure our community is prepared.?

Also, Abba Aliyu of Birnin Kudu said, ?We?ve experienced flooding before, and we?re not taking chances. We?re working with the government to protect our homes and businesses.?

Similarly, Rabi?u Hassan of Harbo, Jahun LGA, said residents had started taking precautions following the warnings.

?We?ve been advised to move to higher ground, and we?re taking that advice seriously,? said Nalami Garba, a resident of Buji Town.

Offering insight into the government?s preparation, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, Hannafi Yakubu, said the government had announced comprehensive measures to address the anticipated flood during the 2025 rainy season.

He said the state had taken concrete steps by identifying flood-prone areas and working with residents to relocate them to safer zones.

?We?re working tirelessly to keep residents safe and minimise the flood?s impact. We?ve already started sensitising communities on the need to prepare,? Yakubu said.

The executive secretary added that the government had cleared blocked drainage channels and constructed temporary flood barriers in some areas.

He said, ?We?ve erected embankments across many flood-prone communities to protect lives and property.

?The agency has also supported many community self-help groups toward flood prevention. We?re working closely with communities to empower them to take charge of their own safety.?

Delta?s multi-pronged approach

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government says it is taking a multi-pronged approach to avert the looming flood.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Jamani Ejiro, said the government had scaled up infrastructure development, public awareness campaigns, and disaster response measures in response to the flood alert.

He said, ?Delta State Government is actively working to mitigate flooding through various initiatives, including the construction of stormwater drainage systems alongside road projects, dredging rivers, and clearing canals.

?The government is also emphasising public awareness campaigns to discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages and is enforcing penalties for offenders.?

Ejiro disclosed that the state government also plans to create IDP camps and provide relief materials to affected residents.

?The State Flood Disaster Management Committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, is actively responding to flood incidents and coordinating relief efforts.

?Also, Delta State Government is prioritising the construction of stormwater drainage systems, particularly in flood-prone areas, and integrating them into new road projects to ensure proper water management,? the commissioner explained.

?Dredging of rivers is being carried out to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

?The government is intensifying efforts to clear canals and waterways to ensure they can effectively channel water and prevent blockages,? he added.

?Flood, our major problem?

For some residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, flooding has been a major problem due to inadequate drainage systems.

?Flooding has been our major problem in this part of Calabar. We are always victims whenever the rainy season starts,? said Mfoniso Udom, a resident of Edim Otop in Calabar Municipality.

Another resident, Mrs. Nkoyo Eso, decried her huge losses to consistent flooding and appealed for help.

?As a result of this flood, I?ve lost most of my valuables. I want to appeal to the Cross River State Government and President Bola Tinubu to look into this issue and help us out,? she lamented.

Etetim Bassey, another, also made a similar appeal, describing the recurring flooding as pathetic.

However, the Cross River Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, said the state government had taken measures to contain any possible flooding.

Osogi, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, said the state had cleared most drainage and water channels across various areas to ensure easy water flow.

He said, ?We are doing everything necessary to ensure any flooding is controlled. We will also ensure that those in flood-prone areas are safe.

?As a government, we are aware of the flood warnings. We are working in line with NiMet?s alert. Those in flood-prone areas have been advised to move upland.?

Osogi warned residents against erecting structures on waterways, stating that the state government would prosecute anyone found violating the order.

Flooding imminent in Imo

There is visible apprehension in Imo State over the flood warnings, as some residents have begun to leave flood-prone areas such as World Bank Housing, Umuguma, and Nekede, where roads usually become impassable during downpours.

?I currently live in Umuguma, and my rent will expire at the end of the month, but I can tell you for free that I have no plans to renew it because our area will be totally submerged,? a resident, Mr. Uche Njoku, told Saturday PUNCH.

Reacting, the Imo State Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Nnamdi Igwe, said parts of the Ose-Afia Market in Oguta LGA were already submerged, warning that the community would be severely affected as water levels continue to rise.

?Findings revealed that the water is already encroaching on buildings along the shores. A portion of Ose-Afia Market is submerged, and as the water volume increases, the community will be severely impacted,? he said, adding that the agency is ready for the flood.

The head of NEMA in Owerri said the agency had embarked on road walks and sensitisation programmes across the state.

?Regarding emergencies during floods, we have a brand-new ambulance stocked with relief items for both Imo and Abia States. We?re also monitoring the river level at Oguta to inform the public and government on the dangers ahead,? he said.

Nasarawa residents relocating

Residents in flood-prone areas of Nasarawa State have begun planning to relocate to higher ground.

Findings by our correspondent indicate that many residents in high-risk areas in Doma, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, Lafia, and Obi LGAs are preparing to leave their homes while closely monitoring the situation.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, a resident of Doma LGA, Umar Ibrahim, said he began preparing his family for relocation after receiving a flood alert from NASEMA.

He, however, lamented a lack of funds, noting that the warning came suddenly.

Nasarawa is among the states predicted to experience serious flooding this year. That?s why some of us in vulnerable areas are planning to leave until the rainy season is over.

?Our biggest challenge now is funding. I appeal to the Nasarawa State Government to assist us to protect our lives, property, and livelihoods,? Ibrahim said.

Another resident in Awe LGA, Esther Dankogi, said she was also preparing to vacate her home in case of heavy flooding.

She urged others to heed the government?s warning to avoid future regrets.

?Though this situation is hard for me and my family, I appreciate the government for notifying us early. We are preparing and watching how things unfold.

?Still, we?ll be grateful for any support from the government. It?s not easy relocating with family at this time,? Dankogi added.

Adamawa releases N700m

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Celina Laori, said the state government had released N700m to the agency ahead of the anticipated flood.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, Laori said the funds would be used to prepare residents for the rainy season.

?We have already purchased both consumables and non-consumables for those who may be affected.

?Our warehouse is stocked. We don?t want to be caught unprepared again. Our action governor has taken steps ahead of time to avoid last-minute panic,? Laori said.

She noted that the agency had carried out sensitisation campaigns in 15 flood-prone LGAs, urging residents in lowlands to move to safer areas.

?After our agency?s campaign, the Ministry of Information has continued educating the people to take precautionary measures during the flood,? Laori added.

Same tale in Edo

In Edo State, residents in some areas are already bracing for imminent flooding.

A former Chairman of Etsako Central LGA, Bagudu Suleiman, who lives in Anegbete, said while some residents would temporarily leave their homes, others in Opogbo, Udochi, and Udaba may relocate permanently.

He added that some planned to build elevated huts to protect their belongings.

A business owner at Tom Line, near Uselu on the Lagos expressway, Paul Osa, said relocation was difficult due to financial constraints.

?There?s always severe flooding at Tom Line when it rains. Though past governments dug more drainage, the problem persists,? he said. ?Earlier this week, the expressway and business areas were flooded. If it gets worse, I?ll have to leave.?

To address the situation, the Executive Director of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Ahmed Momoh, said the agency had cleared drains and water passages across the state.

?We?re removing debris from drainages to allow water flow,? he said, adding that his team had visited affected communities, including the Auchi gully site, Ayowiri, Jattu, and Ibie in Etsako West.

Govts not doing enough

Assessing the efforts made so far, an environmentalist, Mayokun Iyaomolere, said state governments haven?t done enough to curtail flood disasters in the country despite the huge ecological funds.

?The governments are trying, but it?s not enough. Getting that much and still experiencing floods is unacceptable. Residents also have a role to play,? he said.

Iyaomolere urged communities in flood-prone areas to act if the government is slow to respond.

?Everyone must be conscious. Areas without drainages should be worked on. If the government doesn?t act, locals must step in,? he said.

The environmentalist stressed the need for risk management, proper planning, and the creation of IDP camps for flood victims. He also called for community involvement beyond relying on government relief.

?The government must build a stronger disaster management system,? he concluded. (Saturday PUNCH)

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