,,, kogi,Benue, Rivers others warned
,,,,250,000 kogi residents at risk in event of flood.
By correspondent.
Photo credit:Conservation.
The Nigerian government has issued a flood alert for all states bordering the Benue River as Cameroon begins releasing water from the Lagdo Dam. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) warned on Tuesday that this release, starting September 17, could elevate water levels and increase flooding risks.
NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Muhammed, announced that the controlled water release will initially be at a rate of 100m³/s, expected to escalate to 1000m³/s over the next week due to inflows from the Garoua River.
States potentially affected include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers. Although significant flooding is not anticipated, the agency emphasized the importance of preparedness measures,he said.
“The agency assures the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as flow levels remain within safe limits,” Muhammed said.
However, he urged vigilance and readiness at all governmental levels to mitigate any potential impacts.
NIHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates on water levels in major rivers.
Meanwhile,Kogi state government has disclosed that about 250,000 people across nine communities in the state are at the risk being displaced in the event of water flood in this year’s wet season.
42 IDP camps have been established across 8 Local Government Areas, with 9 flood-prone areas communities as part of the state government proactive measures towards mitigating against the flood impact in this wet season.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Joseph Oluwasegun, disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders.
He said the meeting was called following rise in water levels of the Rivers Niger and Benue.
Oluwasegun said the meeting was mainly called to fashion out preparations towards the 2024 flood prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
Some key stakeholders, in their separate remarks in their different areas of expertise spoke on various aspects of flood management, mitigation strategies, emergency response protocols, and evacuation procedures, with a focus on developing a comprehensive plan to minimize the impact in the event of flooding.
Oluwasegun called for a unified response to the impending flood threat, highlighting the need for seamless collaboration among stakeholders.
He further emphasized on the need to intensify public sensitization efforts in order to ensure that flood prone communities are adequately informed and relocate on-time to mitigate hardships of water flooding .
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency ( KOSEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, disclosed that an Emergency Operation Center would be established to facilitate effective coordination and response to the flood situation.
Stakeholders present at the meeting include officials from the State Emergency Management Agency led by the Executive Secretary, Alh Mouktar Atimah, Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, Commissioner of Water Resources, Engr.Yahaya Farouk, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Rabietu Okute, Dr.Ojotule Austin (S/Epid) from Ministry of Health, General Manager, Kogi State sanitation and Waste Management Board Mr.Ajayi Olufemi as well as officials from state ministry of Environment and Ecological Management.
