By Abdullahi Lukman
The Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA) has intensified flood preparedness measures across the state, including plans to relocate residents from high-risk communities to safer areas ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
The agency said the proactive steps are aimed at preventing a recurrence of flood-related disasters and minimizing potential loss of lives and property in vulnerable communities.
Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr. Echuseh Audu, disclosed that the state government has already activated early warning and disaster preparedness strategies as part of its broader flood risk management plan.
Speaking through the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Confidence Bitrus Bello, Audu said flood-prone communities across the state had been identified and mapped out, while public sensitisation campaigns were ongoing to educate residents on flood risks, safety measures and emergency response procedures.
She explained that continuous assessments are being conducted in vulnerable locations to detect emerging threats and strengthen intervention plans before the situation escalates.
As part of the preparedness efforts, TSEMA recently deployed officials to assess the impact of early rainfall and flooding in several parts of Jalingo, including Nasarawo Kwalbati, Tecnobat, Green Beach and the Mayo Dassa axis.
The assessment team evaluated affected areas and identified locations requiring urgent government intervention.
According to Audu, findings from the exercise will guide relief distribution, emergency response operations and future flood mitigation projects across the state.
She added that the agency was making arrangements to provide temporary shelters and relief materials for residents who may be displaced during planned evacuation exercises.
The TSEMA boss urged residents to support government efforts by clearing blocked drainage channels and avoiding construction along waterways, warning that flooding remains a persistent challenge in the state.
She stressed that compliance with evacuation directives and active community participation would play a vital role in reducing the impact of flooding during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, TSEMA disclosed that victims affected by recent flooding in four communities in Jen Ward of Karim Lamido Local Government Area had already been evacuated to safer locations and provided with emergency assistance.
During a visit to the affected communities, the agency conveyed Governor Agbu Kefas’ sympathy to residents and assured them of continued government support.
The administration also reaffirmed its commitment to providing assistance and protecting the welfare of flood-affected households across the state.
