Blocked water channel
Gombe SEMA to residents stop polluting the environment. The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency has urged people of the state to take all necessary precautions against floods in order to lessen its impact in their towns.
Mr Mohammed Garba, Director Relief and Rehabilitation, Gombe SEMA, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gombe on Monday.
Garba stated that the agency has been educating the public and giving the essential information to help mitigate flood-related calamities.
He stated that one of the things the agency expected homeowners to do was to cease depositing rubbish in drainages and waterways, which he described as “a major factor contributing to flooding, especially when drainages are blocked and the huge volume of water creates different routes for itself.”
The director said that the recent flooding experienced on May 14, in Bajoga in Funakaye Local Government Areas, was partly a result of wastes dumped in drainages.
He explained that SEMA’s analysis of the flooding in Bajoga showed that the damage was severe as both residents and houses were affected.
“There is a location where we have a big gully developing as a result of the volume of water, and this happened because residents dump their wastes inside the drainages in that area.
“Through community efforts, blocked drainages should be cleared so that rainwater can freely flow in the channels provided for such purposes,” he stated.
In terms of the flood prediction for Gombe State, the director stated that, unlike in 2022, when only one LGA was expected to flood, in 2023, Balanga, Nafada, and Yamaltu/Deba LGAs were among the 178 LGAs in 32 states that were “highly likely to flood.”
“The stakes are slightly higher than last year, which is why we are enlisting critical stakeholders to continue with the sensitization and engagement to mitigate flood impact in the state.”“More than 40 dwellings were damaged and 21 people were injured as a result of the flooding in Bajoga.
“The stakes are slightly higher than last year, which is why we are enlisting critical stakeholders to continue with the sensitization and engagement to mitigate flood impact in the state.”
According to the director, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya ordered the large sensitization campaign after reviewing the flood forecast.
Garba stated that, in accordance with the mandate, sensitization activities had been stepped up in the three LGAs, with plans to expand to other parts of the state.
He went on to say that the message of the sensitization had always been to avoid constructing on rivers and depositing rubbish in drainages.
“No one can completely prevent flooding,” he continued, “but we can all reduce its impact.”
(NAN)