The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood warning for Kebbi State due to rising water levels in the River Niger system.
This alert comes as upstream activities in Niger and Mali threaten to increase the risk of flooding in the region.
NIHSA Director General Umar Mohammed released a statement on Thursday, detailing the potential flood risk.
“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), hereby brings to the attention of the general public the rising water levels of the River Niger system as of 23rd August 2024,” Mohammed stated.
The warning is based on a report from the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) in Niamey, Niger Republic.
According to Mohammed, “The situation in Niamey is informed by upstream activities in both Niger and Mali. Flood waters from these 2 countries are expected to move gradually into Nigeria through Kebbi State.”
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NIHSA has taken proactive measures by informing dam operators at Kainji and Jebba on the River Niger about the situation. As of August 22, 2024, these dams were not spilling water from their reservoirs.
However, the agency emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “There is a need for all the states and communities along the River Niger system to be on alert from August ending and September.”
NIHSA has committed to ongoing monitoring of the flood situation in the country.
“NIHSA will continue to monitor the flood situation in the country, and provide periodic updates to the general public accordingly,” the statement noted
