The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has suggested residents of communities alongside the River Niger and River Kaduna to right away relocate to safer grounds following the discharge of water from main dams within the state.
In a press release issued in Minna on Thursday, the Director-Common of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, mentioned the warning turned crucial after the Nigerian Hydrological Providers Company (NIHSA) confirmed that huge discharges have been ongoing from the Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jebba hydroelectric dams.
Mr Arah defined that 1000’s of gallons of water have been being launched per minute, elevating the chance of rivers overflowing their banks and flooding adjoining communities.
He disclosed that the state had already recorded casualties, with lives misplaced and widespread harm to farmlands, homes, bridges, and rural roads.
“The state is already experiencing the detrimental influence of flooding in a number of LGAs. Now we have seen houses, farmlands, bridges and entry roads washed away, leaving many homeless and crippling socio-economic actions,” he mentioned.
He listed the affected native governments as Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Wushishi.
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Mr Arah additionally cautioned residents in opposition to actions alongside riverbanks through the peak of the wet season.
He warned that, along with flooding, violent windstorms have been anticipated on the finish of the wet season, urging residents to keep away from standing beneath bushes throughout rainfall and to desist from erecting or inhabiting substandard buildings.
He assured that assessments of the flood impacts have been ongoing and that periodic updates could be offered. He referred to as on stakeholders, conventional rulers, neighborhood leaders, and the media to assist disseminate the warning to residents.
