The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has informed residents of Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta communities to temporarily find other locations to reside to avoid the impending flood expected to hit the affected areas.
NEMA sounded the warning while giving residents of the area tips to avoid reoccurrence of the 2012 episode which saw several houses in the area submerged by flood three years ago..
As there is palpable fear among Nigerians of impending floods in some parts of the country as a result of the expected water release from Camerounian dam, the head of operations, Imo and Abia States of NEMA, Dr Innocent Ezeaku said the relocation is to avoid the unpleasant experiences of the past which could reoccur if the released dam affects the shores of River Niger through the Orashi and Imo River.
According to him, “the high risk areas – the riverine areas of Urashi River, Oguta and Njaba River will receive water from River Niger. It will likely overflow its bank and affect people living in the area. We advise that they relocate temporarily until the water level goes down”
It would be recalled that around September 2012, flood ravaged some parts of the oil producing communities in the riverine areas thereby rendering thousands homeless while few died. The federal government was forced to give Imo state N400m to soothe the nerves of people affected by the natural disaster.
