The National Emergency Management Agency has attributed the recurring flooding in Cross River State to poor environmental practices and urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drains and waterways to prevent future disasters.
The agency gave the warning during an assessment of communities affected flood in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas.
Leading the assessment team, the Head of Operations of NEMA’s Uyo Operations Office, Aisueni Mmandu, noted that indiscriminate disposal of refuse, particularly plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, had continued to block drainage channels and worsen flooding across vulnerable communities.
She urged residents to use designated waste disposal points, warning that blocked drains significantly increase the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
