Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood warning to communities along the River Niger and Benue, urging residents of the areas to vacate.
Gatekeepers News reports that the areas, according to the agency’s director general, Umar Mohammed, in a statement on Thursday, October 17, have recorded a significant rise in water levels due to continuous rainfalls.
He added that the water gauge data from key stations including, Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi consistently showed high levels, exceeding nine meters between October 9 and October 15.
“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.
“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” he noted.
In a bid to mitigate the risk, Muhammed stated that the management of the Kainji and Jebba dams was closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.
He then called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies, advising residents to move to safer areas to avoid worsening flood effects.
