Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and Benue state government on Sunday raised the alarm over the rising water levels of River Benue which may lead to flooding.
Gatekeepers News reports that Benue State government had before this, designated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, for would-be victims of the impending flood and urged people living close to the river banks to relocate to safe areas.
Director of Operational Hydrology, NIHSA, Femi Bejide in a statement released on Monday urged residents to vacate flood plains immediately.
The director noted that the rising waters, especially at Makurdi and Ibbi, had placed the River Benue Basin on high alert.
The agency said, “Water levels recorded at key gauge stations are alarming, with Wuro Boki at 6.36 metres and Jimeta Bridge at 5.04 metres.”
“Ibbi station stands at 8.2 metres, Makurdi at 9.4 metres and Lokoja (Niger River) at 8.68 metres.”
NIHSA advised for immediate preventive measures in states along the river, particularly those previously identified as flood-prone.
It added, “The water levels at our critical stations along the River Benue Basin as of Saturday, September 21, 2024, show steady increases towards flood levels.”
The agency emphasised the urgency of improving water conveyance and flood containment to protect vulnerable communities.
It further noted that it would monitor river levels and provide updates to help authorities and the public mitigate flood risks.
Bejide said, “The flooding we are seeing now is caused by heavy rainfall and precipitation. However, river flooding is about to start and it will be severe. Communities in Bayelsa and Jigawa States are particularly vulnerable due to their geography.”
“Authorities have advised against building on flood plains, yet this remains a recurring issue. We’ve repeatedly told people to move from these areas but the problem persists.”
