Residents of five Delta State communities have been placed on red alert as devastating floods are expected to submerge their homes this week. The warning, issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, names Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, and Okpo-Krika as the communities most at risk.
The ministry revealed that the alert stems from rapidly rising water levels in River Niger, River Benue, and River Gongola. It cautioned that unless urgent action is taken, residents of the affected areas may face displacement, loss of livelihoods, and potential casualties. Communities have been strongly advised to relocate to higher grounds immediately.
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Delta is not the only state in danger. Ten other states are also bracing for similar disasters. They include Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The warning signals what could become one of the most widespread flooding episodes in recent years if preventive measures are not urgently deployed.
The ministry urged state governments and emergency agencies to act without delay in providing shelters, relief materials, and evacuation support. It also emphasized the importance of prompt communication between the affected states and the federal authorities to minimize the impact of the floods.
Floods have remained a recurring nightmare in Nigeria, destroying farmlands, displacing thousands, and crippling local economies. With this latest alert, fears are rising that 2025 could see another wave of humanitarian crises if proactive measures are ignored.
