The Disaster Management Coordinator (DMC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Rivers State branch, Mr Godwin Izoma, has raised alarm over the threatening flood upsurge in parts of the state.
Izoma who made the observation in an exclusive chat with The Tide at the weekend in Port Harcourt called on relevant authorities to gear up to save lives and properties of residents in some parts of the state, which is currently submerged.
The Red Cross DMC while noting that Imogue Community in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, was already submerge told The Tide that an early alarm by Red Cross saved the situation as residents were evacuated timely.
According to him, the affected area was a new residential layout made up of non-indegenes of the community.
Izoma, who did not mention the level of damage caused said residents have since moved out their properties such as electronic products, which he said are easily destroyed by water.
He further noted that he had sent report of the situation to his organisation’s head quarters in Abuja for immediate intervention by the agency.
The international organisation, he recalled had saved many lives and properties in similar situations across the country.
He also called on the people to always locate higher grounds and move to such areas in the event of flood, rather than delaying.
According to him, it could be dangerous to drink flood water as it was capable of causing diarrhea and other water borne diseases.
Another dangerous practice, he added, during flood was swimming, adding that flood water normally carries dangerous reptiles like crocodile.