The Abia State government has set up the State Flood Alert Sensitisation Committee in light of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) report issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
According to the 2025 AFO report, the LGAs of Aba North, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Isuikwuato, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and Arochukwu in Abia State have been classified as high-risk areas for flooding.
During the committee’s inauguration in Umuahia, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, stated that the Ministry of Environment is working together with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other essential disaster management partners on this proactive initiative.
He mentioned that the committee will initiate a vigorous flood awareness campaign across the nine flood-prone LGAs in the state.
This multi-agency committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Abia State Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Additional agencies involved are the Abia State Department of Homeland Security, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigerian Fire Service, and the Abia State Orientation Agency.
The sensitisation campaign is set to take place from August 4 to 19, 2025, with the goal of enhancing community readiness and flood response strategies, providing emergency education, conducting drills, and simulation exercises.
It will also focus on identifying and empowering community-based first responders, designating safer areas for potential evacuations, and educating the public on effective drainage maintenance and desilting methods.