Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Warns Residents of Rising Water Levels in River Benue
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Benue State government have issued a warning regarding the rising water levels of River Benue, which may lead to significant flooding.
The agency highlighted the steady increase in water levels, prompting the state government to prepare designated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps for those at risk.
Femi Bejide, the Director of Operational Hydrology at NIHSA, emphasized the urgency of the situation in a statement released on Monday as he called on residents to vacate flood-prone plains immediately, noting that the water levels at key monitoring stations are alarming.
Furthermore, the agency has also pointed out the need for immediate preventive measures in states along the river, particularly those previously identified as vulnerable to flooding while Measurements indicated that Wuro Boki reached 6.36 meters, Jimeta Bridge at 5.04 meters, and other stations showed similarly concerning levels.
NIHSA has also pointed out the need for immediate preventive measures in states along the river, particularly those previously identified as vulnerable to flooding. As of September 21, 2024, the agency confirmed that water levels along the River Benue Basin are steadily increasing toward flood thresholds, raising concerns about the safety of communities in the region.
The agency attributed the current flooding to heavy rainfall and anticipated that river flooding would soon begin, likely with severe consequences. Specific communities in Bayelsa and Jigawa States have been identified as particularly at risk due to their geographic conditions. Bejide reiterated that authorities have consistently advised against building in flood plains, yet violations of this warning continue to occur, complicating efforts to manage flood risks effectively.
