Niger govt alerts communities of impending flood
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has issued a flood alert for communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna, warning of a potentially catastrophic situation.
The alert comes as the four major hydroelectric dams in Niger State – Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji, and Zungeru – prepare to discharge excess water.
The agency warned in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Thursday that the flooding that would follow the discharge of water from these dams would be catastrophic.
Arah said the Nigerian Hydrological Services had also advised that communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna should relocate for same reason.
“The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute that could lead to the overflow of these rivers.
”We are also advising our communities to limit activities around River banks during this peak raining season to avoid being flooded.
“People living at riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified, ” he said.
Arah also said that, “NiMeTs latest prediction also indicated that the end of raining season will be accompanied by violent windstorm as a result people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also stay away from substandard structures.
“The state is already experiencing negative impacts of the flooding with houses, farm lands, bridges and link-roads washed away in some LGAs located up and down streams of the four Dams.”
He added that the development had rendered many homeless and also affected the socio-economic activities of the communities.
Some of the affected local government areas are Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha,Agaie Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro and Wushishi.
He said that loss of lives had been recorded in these areas without mentioning the number of lives lost.
Arah urged to prioritise their safety and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the flood.
