By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have carried out a joint assessment of communities affected by the recent three-day heavy rainfall in Lagos State.
The exercise, conducted by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in collaboration with LASEMA, was aimed at determining the extent of flood damage, identifying affected communities and infrastructure, and assessing the immediate humanitarian needs of residents.
According to a statement issued by NEMA on Thursday, the assessment covered selected communities in Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, and Lagos Island Local Government Areas.
The agency said the findings would help guide recommendations to the Federal Government on the interventions required to support affected communities.
Beyond assessing the impact of the flooding, emergency officials also educated residents on measures to reduce the risk of future flood disasters.
They urged residents to refrain from indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and encouraged regular desilting of drains, canals, and stormwater channels to ensure the free flow of water during heavy rainfall.
The sensitisation campaign also highlighted the importance of community participation in flood prevention efforts, especially during the peak of the rainy season.The agencies said the assessment forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve emergency response across Lagos State as the rainy season continues.
