The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has urged residents in seven flood prone communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government areas of Imo to be alert and always monitor the sea level.
The agency said Orachi River and Oguta Lake have both risen in volume following the persistent rainfall recently.
Mr Evans Ugoh, the Head of Imo/Abia operations office of NEMA, who led officials of the agency to assess sea level in the flood prone communities on Thursday said both Oguta Lake and Orashi River had risen above normal.
He told the prone communities that following the persistent rise in the sea level, a possible flooding might occur.
“You must continue to monitor movement of sea constantly and report to us where necessary for immediate action,” he said.
Ugoh said that communities under threat were Ossemotto, Oguta, Eziorsu and Orsuobodo.
While advising the prone communities on daily observance of the sea in their areas, Ugoh also mentioned other communities under threat as Opuowa, Mmahu and Etekwuru.
“NEMA has already strategised with other disaster stakeholders on the development for immediate response in case of any emergency.
“Prone communities must be alert and always monitor the movement of sea in their areas and report same to the agency promptly for immediate action,” he said.
He said the Oguta Lake; a tributary of Orashi River had strong connections with the River Niger and had in recent times posed serious danger on residents of the river banks.
He said NEMA was taking serious measures to avoid re-occurrence of the 2012 flooding.
