Flood Alert: Benue Basin Water Levels Near Flood, designates camps in 18 Local Government

From Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

SAHEL ReportersNews: Benue State Government and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have raised the alarm saying the rising water levels along the River Benue Basin have neared flooding any moment from now.

Towards this end, the Benue State Government has designated camps in 18 Local Government Areas to shift would-be victims of flood.

Data released by NIHSA yesterday showed a steady increase in water levels, approaching the flood threshold.

“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.

The agency 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.

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.

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

Realising the pending disaster, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde yesterday 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.

Also, the State 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 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 at 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 at 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,” the commissioner explained.He urged the people to take the warning seriously and relocate to safer and higher grounds.