FG Warns as Niger and Benue Rivers Hit Dangerous Levels
- The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has warned that Rivers Niger and Benue have reached dangerous water levels, raising the risk of severe flooding
- Several major dams, including Kainji, Jebba, Goronyo and Kiri, are spilling excess water, putting communities in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Sokoto and Adamawa states in danger
- Residents of flood-prone areas are urged to evacuate immediately as heavy rains continue and tributaries remain at their peak, prompting calls for urgent intervention
The federal government has issued a fresh warning over rising water levels as Rivers Niger and Benue approach their seasonal peak, posing serious flood threats to communities along their banks.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) said the situation demands urgent action from residents in vulnerable areas.
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Director General of NiHSA, Muhammad Umar, said in a statement that the rivers have reached critical points and could overflow if heavy rains persist.
He urged residents of flood-prone settlements to evacuate immediately and move to higher ground to avoid losses.
“Rivers Niger and Benue have reached peak levels thereby posing threat of flooding to surrounding areas. Communities along Rivers Niger and Benue should take proactive steps to safeguard their lives and property against flooding,” Umar said.
He added that the agency is working with dam authorities to reduce the impact on downstream communities.
Niger, Benue Rivers reach critical flood levels
Umar explained that tributaries feeding the two major rivers, including Rima, Kaduna and Gongola, are also at their highest levels of the year. This has caused a surge in several key dams across the country.
Kainji Dam is already spilling excess water, putting Kainji town, Patigi, New Bussa, Borgu, Mokwa and other communities in Niger and Kwara states at risk. Jebba Dam is also releasing excess water, threatening Jebba town, Gungu, Gana, Fanga, Bele, Bere, Gaba and Baro as well as other settlements in Kwara and Kogi states.
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In Sokoto state, Goronyo Dam has reached maximum capacity and is spilling at a rate that is flooding nearby areas such as Goronyo, Wamako, Shinaka Yerimawa and Kurukuru.
Dams spill water as rains intensify
Kiri Dam in Adamawa State is also spilling and has already caused flooding in Kiri, Tallum, Banjiram, Purokayo-Lakumna and Shelleng communities. Zungeru Dam remains stable but continues to experience rising reservoir levels.
The agency reported that as of September 18, Kainji Dam’s reservoir level stood at 138.69 metres while Jebba Dam’s level was at 102.20 metres.
Although no water has been released from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, NiHSA warned that the combined effect of local rainfall and dam discharges within Nigeria is enough to trigger significant flooding if the trend continues.
Umar advised state governments, emergency agencies and residents to remain on alert as the rainy season reaches its climax and to act swiftly to prevent avoidable disasters.
Flooding sweeps through Yobe communities
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state had ordered immediate relief operations for communities hit by severe flooding on Friday. The directive came after reports of heavy downpours affecting multiple parts of the state in the early hours of August 15.
Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary of the Yobe state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed that emergency alerts were received as the rains intensified.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
