The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned motorists against driving on running water to avoid endangering their lives as the rainy season approaches.

Director-General of FEMA Abbas Idriss gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Idriss said the advice became necessary because in 2020 two persons were taken away by running water and they eventually died.

He said that running water could kill faster than anything one could think of, adding that two inches of running water could sweep a car away no matter how big it is.

“We lost seven lives to flooding in 2020. Five were from the same family at Geri in Gwagwalada Area Council and two were taken away by running water.

“We keep insisting and that is why you will see signposts in strategic places by FEMA in Abuja telling motorists to avoid driving or walking inside running water.

“If you are at home and it is raining and you are told the road is flooded, stay at home to avert tragedy because it’s safer to do that,”  he said.

Mr Idriss, however, cautioned FCT residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that the assessment conducted by FEMA revealed that all flooding in Abuja was human-induced.

“The population of the FCT is getting much higher than the resources and the available facilities on ground to handle such emergencies.

“Wastes are always generated and it is expected that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) will evacuate them.

“So we have a lot to do with the residents of FCT. All hands must be on deck to ensure that we do the right thing to avoid avoidable floods,” he said.

 (NAN)