Abuja on red alert over predicted heavy rain Sunday

Abuja on red alert over predicted heavy rain Sunday

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reacted to a predicted heavy rain likely to occur on Sunday in Abuja.

It said it had placed its emergency response team on high alert over the anticipated rainfall.

Director-General of the Agency, Dr Abbas Idriss, stated this in a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Ms Nkechi Isa, in Abuja on Friday, according to a NAN report.

Idriss said that a weather forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), had indicated that the FCT and its neighbouring states would experience heavy to moderate rainfall on Sunday.

He added that the forecast also predicted moderate to heavy rains in parts of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba.

He said that NiMET also warned of possible flash floods, riverine flooding, strong winds, and soil erosion as well as thunder and lightning coming with the rain.

“The forecast also anticipates displacement of people due to floods, outbreak of water borne diseases and damages to infrastructure,” he said.

The DG said that he had equally directed an update of the agency’s flood contingency plans to ensure maximum results.

He appealed to residents to heed the early warning and avoid driving or wading through a pool of water during the rains.

He also said that all blocked drains should be cleared, and advised people who reside on water channels to relocate.