Flood: Relocate to higher ground, FG urges Benue, Niger riverine communities

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has urged riverine communities along the Rivers Benue and Niger to relocate to higher ground following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement released on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, warned residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue had reached critical points.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed cautioned.

He stated that water gauge data from key stations, including Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi, showed consistently high levels, exceeding nine metres between 9 and 15 October.

The map highlights critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, especially around stations along the Rivers Benue and Niger.

Mohammed also noted that the management of the Kainji and Jebba dams is closely monitoring and regulating water releases to mitigate downstream flooding along the Niger.

He called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening impact of the floods as the rainfall continues

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