By: TUNDE BOLAJI, MINNA.
The Nigerian Hydrological Services has advised Communities along the River Niger and the Kaduna to relocate in view of the immediate flooding.
The Agency’s warning is coming as a result of the discharge of water from Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jeba hydro Dams located in Niger state.
The Dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute, which could lead to the overflow of these Rivers.
The State government hereby advises communities to Limit activities around the River banks during this peak rainy season to avoid being flooded.
People living in riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified.
NiMeT’s latest prediction indicated that the end of the rainy season will be accompanied by violent windstorms; therefore, people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also avoid substandard structures.
The State is already experiencing the negative impact of the flooding with houses, farm lands, bridges, and linked roads washed away in some LGAs located upstream and downstream of the 4 Dams.
These have rendered many homeless and have affected the socio-economic activities of the communities.
According to the director general of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arabh, the LGAs include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie Suleja, and Shiroro,
Others are Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Wushishi.
Loss of lives has also been recorded,
Furthermore, the assessments of the flood impacts are still ongoing, and periodic updates will be provided.
Nsema hereby calls on all the Stakeholders, the traditional institutions, well-meaning Nigerlites, and the Media to help in propagating this information to the general public.
