By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ONCE AGAIN, Bayelsa State is under threat as swelling riverbanks and intensified rainfall signal the arrival of yet another hazardous flood season.
With southern coastal states facing early downpours and surging water levels, concerns are growing fast across low-lying communities already feeling the effects.
Communities are currently bracing for flooding amid Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warnings and swift government response
According to the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from NiMet, areas across Lagos, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa are projected to experience prolonged and heavy rainfall.
Flash floods are expected to follow, with Bayelsa’s dense network of rivers and creeks placing the state at particularly high risk.
Several weeks before peak rains, signs of trouble have already emerged.
In Yenagoa’s Biseni Clan, rising water levels have disrupted movement, strained public health systems, and sparked early displacement in remote areas.
The spectre of 2022’s severe floods loom large, fuelling urgent preparations on the ground.
Bayelsa’s Environment Commissioner, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo, addressed the unfolding situation in a televised interview, warning residents that early indicators are pointing to a dangerous season ahead.
“We are not taking anything for granted,” he said. “Communities like Biseni, Igbogene, and parts of Southern Ijaw are already showing early signs of flooding. We’ve carried out preliminary assessments, and we are working with emergency agencies to deploy relief materials swiftly.”
Ololo emphasised the importance of early relocation from high-risk areas. He urged residents, particularly those near creeks and riverbanks, to heed evacuation notices and not underestimate the threat.
“Now is not the time for doubt,” he said. “We are asking all citizens, especially those in low-lying areas, to begin relocating to higher ground. Our warning system is in place, and we are acting based on NiMet and NEMA projections.”
With contamination of water supplies another growing concern, the state has rolled out a public awareness campaign on safe water use and hygiene.
According to the commissioner, the distribution of water purification tablets is already underway alongside health and safety sensitisation drives in affected communities.
“We are distributing water purification tablets, sensitising people on safe practices, and working with NEMA to respond swiftly,” Ololo added.
Governor Douye Diri confirmed the activation of the state’s emergency response framework.
Relief materials are being distributed, while designated temporary shelters and regular flood warnings are now active across radio and other local communication channels.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) teams said they are also working in coordination with local officials to track water level surges and respond to reported emergencies as they arise.
NEMA adds that as rains intensify, Bayelsa’s ability to respond swiftly may prove vital in averting a repeat of past disasters; with vulnerable communities already showing early signs of distress, every hour counts.
