The Abia State Government and other governments across the South-east, experts, stakeholders, community leaders and civil society organisations have been urged to urgently strengthen flood preparedness and climate adaptation measures following the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast of increased rainfall and thunderstorms across several parts of the country.
The call was made by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), an environmental campaign group, which noted that the forecast should not be viewed merely as a weather advisory but as an important early warning that demands coordinated action to reduce the devastating impacts of flooding, which have become increasingly frequent due to climate change.
The organisation submitted that many communities in Abia state and across the South-east remain vulnerable because of blocked drainage systems, poor waste management practices, unregulated physical development, inadequate public awareness, and weak investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
In a statement the Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said: “Flood disasters are no longer isolated incidents. They are becoming a recurring consequence of climate change and environmental mismanagement. Every warning issued by NiMet must be treated as a call to action.
“Governments at all levels should prioritize prevention, preparedness, and community resilience instead of waiting to respond after lives and property have been lost.”
FENRAD specifically urged the Abia State Government and other South-east states to activate emergency preparedness and flood response mechanisms in identified flood-prone communities.
Nwafor stated that they should intensify public enlightenment campaigns through radio, television, social media, community town hall meetings, schools, churches, markets, and traditional institutions to ensure residents understand flood risks and appropriate safety measures.
