The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has appealed to residents of the state to heed all precautionary measures on flooding to mitigate its impact in their communities.

Mohammed Garba, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Gombe SEMA, appealed in an interview on Monday.

Mr Garba said the agency has been sensitising the people and providing the necessary information to mitigate flooding-related disasters.

He said the agency expected residents to stop dumping wastes in drainages and waterways, “a major factor contributing to flooding, especially when drainages are blocked, and the huge volume of water create different routes for itself”.

The director said the recent flooding on May 14 in Bajoga and Funakaye local government areas was due to wastes dumped in drainages.

He explained that SEMA’s analysis of the flooding in Bajoga showed severe damage as both residents and houses were affected.

“As a result of that flooding in Bajoga, more than 40 houses were affected, and no fewer than 21 persons were injured.

“This is why we are appealing to residents to cooperate with us and stop dumping wastes in drainages or building on waterways.”

On the flood outlook for Gombe State, the director said that unlike in 2022, when one LGA was predicted to experience flooding, in 2023, Balanga, Nafada, and Yamaltu/Deba LGAs were among the 178 LGAs in 32 states “highly probable to flooding”.

Mr Garba said that based on the directive, sensitisation had been intensified across the three LGAs, while efforts were on to cover other areas across the state.

“No one can stop flooding entirely, but we can all mitigate its impact,” he said. 

(NAN)