NEMA urges Benue to strengthen flood preparedness — Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the authorities of Benue State to strengthen flood preparedness amid heavy rains. NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar said this during a large-scale flood response exercise in Makurdi, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Exercise in Makurdi
Umar, who was represented at the event by NEMA Director of Search and Rescue Usman Bature, noted that Benue is vulnerable to flooding because of its terrain, extensive river network and floodplains, seasonal rainfall, as well as settlements along the Benue River and its tributaries.
According to her, the 2026 flood forecast indicates the need for continuous preparedness, effective early warning systems, coordinated response and timely evacuation of residents of vulnerable communities. The exercise was intended to test how quickly services can move from early warning to action at the community, local government and state levels and, if necessary, involve federal assistance.
Risk areas
About a month before the exercise, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment warned that a number of communities in the state could experience flooding from August 15 to 28. The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre classified Agatu, Buruku, Guma, Igumale, Logo and Makurdi as critical-risk areas.
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The centre classified Agbaji, Akoro, Katsina-Ala, Abinsi, Agaku, Agyo, Gbadjimba, Gboko, Gogo, Ito, Mbapu, Otobi, Otukpo, Udomu, Ugbokolo, Ugbokpo, Ukpiam and Vande-Ikya as high-risk areas. The possible flooding was attributed to a combination of high soil moisture, rainfall, rapid surface runoff, overloaded drainage systems and rising river water levels.
The centre advised communities in critical areas to monitor the situation, check evacuation routes and protect vulnerable households and important property. Residents were also urged not to settle, park, trade or store belongings in active floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors.
Exercise participants
The exercise, codenamed Uwar Uma, was conducted by NEMA, the Benue State government and other participants within the anticipatory action working group. They included the state emergency management agency, the Defence Headquarters, fire services, police, meteorological service, civil defence service, road safety service, inland waterways authority and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The event was supported by the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Bank. Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode, said the state’s location along the Benue River makes many communities vulnerable to recurring floods.
