Flood alert: NIHASA warns residents over rising water levels of River Benue

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, and the Benue State government have raised an alarm over the rising water levels of River Benue which may lead to flooding.

Recall that the Benue State government has designated Internally Displaced Persons camps, IDPs, for would-be victims of the impending flood and also asked those living close to the river banks to relocate to safe areas.

Reports made available to the public on Sunday by NIHSA indicate a steady increase in water levels that will lead to massive flooding.

“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,” the report said.

It noted that the rising waters, especially at Makurdi and Ibbi, had placed the River Benue Basin on high alert.

NIHASA advised immediate preventive measures in states along the river, particularly those previously identified as flood-prone.

“The water levels at our critical stations along the River Benue Basin as of Saturday, September 21, 2024, show steady increases towards flood levels,” NIHSA stated.

The agency stressed the urgency of improving water conveyance and flood containment to protect vulnerable communities.

It added that they would monitor river levels and provide updates to help authorities and the public mitigate flood risks.

The Director, Operational Hydrology, NIHSA, Femi Bejide urged residents to vacate flood plains immediately.

“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,” Bejide added.

Bejide stated that many Nigerians were waiting for government palliatives, which have become politicised, further complicating response efforts.

Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde disclosed that International Market, Suswam Thank You Primary School and Demekpe Primary School in Makurdi as well as Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, RCM Primary School in Logo will serve as camps for those that will be displaced.

Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Odoh Ugwu appealed to those living along the river banks to relocate to the earmarked camps in the state.

“Between Saturday and Sunday morning, the water level has increased tremendously and is fast approaching the danger stage.

“We received an alert that water will be released from Lagdo Dam for seven days starting from last Wednesday and today, Sunday is the 5th day and we continue to gauge the water level.

“What we have as of this morning is a little scary. We need to take proactive measures. Going by the fact that yesterday [Saturday] morning, the water level was 09.40 and in the evening was 09.50. This morning it rose to 09.57.

“We try to compare our records with what we have as of last year. The highest level was 10.20 and there were heavy rainfalls. So going by the rate that the water level is increasing now, I believe by the end of today [Sunday] we will hit 10,” he said.

He urged the people to take the warning seriously and relocate to safer and higher grounds.