Those living on flood-prone communities should start relocating now, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has counselled.

The agency also called for the monitoring of dams, desilting and clearing of debris in water bodies by relevant authorities to prevent blockages and the creation of detention dams.

According to predictions and the outlook released by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 33 states will be pounded by flood this year.

The agencies listed 25 of the 33 states and 72 local government areas with heightened vulnerability to flooding between last month and next month.

The vulnerability, according to them, will persist from July to September and affect all the 33 states and 135 local government areas identified as high-risk areas.

Between October and November, 19 states and 44 council areas will be affected by flood.

To curb the likely impact of the flood, NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, called for proper sensitisation campaign in communities that would be affected.

Mrs. Umar, who spoke at the National Emergency Coordination Forum, said: “We should ensure community sensitisation and awareness campaign to ensure early desilting and clearing of debris in water bodies to prevent blockages; monitoring of dam discharge and regulations, as well as creating detention dams.

“There is also the need for sub-national entities to mobilise flood-prone communities to clear waterways and channels and relocate from flood plains.”

She also assured that NEMA will continue to intensify efforts to take proactive measures to reduce the impact of the predicted flooding.

The NEMA boss stated that in the event of the occurrence of flood or other disasters, the agency will work with other government partners to provide necessary succour to affected persons.

She also called on all stakeholders to live up to their responsibilities to prevent loss of lives and property, that may occur due to the predicted climate-related disasters in 2024.

Mrs. Umar said: “Various emergency sectors including food security, water sanitation and hygiene (wash), health, nutrition, education, protection, information, emergency shelter & non-food item, camp coordination and camp management, security, information and logistics are requested to be holding regular (coordination) meetings.

END.