BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has reiterated its commitment to constantly monitor the water level of major rivers and tributaries to check flood disaster.
Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement, noted that the water level in River Benue is minimally receding in the last few days.
He added that the probability of a devastating flood along River Benue is progressively eroding.
He, however, advised that due to variability of climate, citizens should keep safe, as well as continue observing the flood preparedness protocols.
According to him, “NIHSA is in synergy with the authorities and management of Lagdo Dam for their releases and it is committed to monitoring the water level at the critical stations.”
NIHSA had on September 22, issued a flood alert warning that water levels along critical stations in the River Benue basin had surged to alarming heights.
The agency said as at September 21, the levels recorded were 6.3 metres at Wuro Boki, 5.04 metres at Jimeta Bridge, 8.2 metres at IBBI, 9.4 metres at Makurdi and 8.68 metres at Lokoja.
It said with these figures nearing dangerous thresholds, it had issued a warning to states previously identified as high-risk flood zones, urging them to take immediate action.
The agency, therefore, called for urgent implementation of containment measures or the preparation for possible water conveyance as part of flood management efforts.
It stressed that failure to act could result in severe flooding, endangering lives, property and infrastructure.
According to the agency, earlier advisories highlighted regions within the Benue and Niger River basins as particularly vulnerable to flooding.
