The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has issued a warning to Nigerians living around river banks along the River Benue Basin to urgently relocate to safer grounds. This advisory comes in response to the rising water levels due to increased rainfall.
In a statement released on Thursday, NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, highlighted the imminent threat of flooding in the region.
“The water on the River Benue has reached the flooding level due to increased rainfall,” he said.
Mohammed further urged those residing along the River Niger to move to safer locations, as the management of Kainji and Jebba Dams are actively working to control the floodwaters.
The NIHSA boss called for cooperation with emergency management agencies to build resilience against flooding in Nigeria and minimize the effects of the impending disaster.
The government recently cautioned Nigerians to relocate to safer grounds following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which has exacerbated the flooding situation.
The release of water from the overflowing Alau Dam in Maiduguri resulted in the deaths of over 30 individuals and the destruction of thousands of homes.
Reflecting on the previous years, the statistics reveal a sobering reality. In 2022, flooding devastated many states, claiming 665 lives, displacing 2,437,411 individuals, and affecting 4,476,867 people, according to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In 2023, the floods affected 159,157 individuals, caused the loss of 28 lives, and displaced 48,168 people, with the Lagdo Dam’s water release contributing significantly to these figures.
For 2024, NEMA reported that flooding affected 1,048,312 people between April and September, displacing 625,239 individuals and resulting in the loss of 259 lives.
These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding on vulnerable communities.
