Get Off  Riverbanks! Federal Government Issues Flood Warning to Nigerians

Nigerians residing along the River Benue Basin’s banks are being urgently urged by the Federal Government, via the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), to relocate to more secure areas without delay.

The flooding level of the River Benue has been reached as a result of heavy rainfall, according to NIHSA Director General Umar Mohammed’s announcement on Thursday.

In addition, he stressed the need of those living near the Niger River to seek refuge elsewhere while the authorities at the Jebba and Kainji Dams attempt to manage the flooding.

In order to reduce the impact of floods in Nigeria, the head of the National Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) called for all Nigerians to join forces with disaster management organisations to strengthen the country’s defences.

Following the recent discharge of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, the Nigerian government issued a warning to the people of the country to seek higher ground. This occurred after thirty people were killed and thousands of homes were washed away in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, due to the water released by the overflowing Alau Dam.

Data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) shows that floods in 2022 affected 4,476,867 individuals, displaced 2,437,411 people, and killed 665 people across many states.

Devastating floods in 2023 displaced 48,168 people, killed 28, and affected 159,157 others. Part of the flooding that happened was because of the water that was released from Lagdo Dam.

For 2024, NEMA claimed flooding affected 1,048,312 individuals between April and September 2024, displaced 625,239 folks, and killed 259 lives.