The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has advised residents to heed weather forecast agencies’ early flood warnings.

Alhaji Abba Idriss, the Director-General of FEMA, advised 2022, FEMA Annual Review and Preparedness Meeting with over 250 local divers, community vanguards, flood rescue teams, and 50 town criers.

Idriss stated that the meeting took place at a time when weather forecasting agencies, particularly the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), are issuing serious flood warnings almost every day.

He claims that as soon as the agency receives an early warning of a flood, it will disseminate the information so that people can take advantage of the early warning.

As a result, he urged residents to obtain information about the route they will take before leaving their homes, offices, and markets.

“FCT residents must also take care not to clog drainage and avoid building on waterways.”

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, FEMA’s Director of Forecasting Response Mitigation, stated that the event was organized to review situations with stakeholders, particularly local divers, volunteers, vanguards, local emergency committee, and town criers.

“We have nearly 600 volunteers, including local divers and town criers.” “The meeting will be by representation,” she explained.

Mr Clement Nze, Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), reiterated the agency’s determination to strengthen its partnership with FEMA in coordinating water and flooding issues.