FG ISSUES ALERT OVER RISING LEVEL OF RIVER NIGER

Read Time:1 Minute, 11 Second

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) issued an urgent public warning on Friday about rising water levels in the River Niger system.

In a statement, NIHSA Director-General Mr Umar Mohammed stated that floodwaters from these nations are steadily spreading into Nigeria, beginning with Kebbi.

According to the organisation, the development is due to upstream activity in Niger and Mali, as reported by the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) in Niamey, Niger Republic.

“NIHSA has assured that dam operators at Kainji and Jebba, situated on the River Niger, have been informed and are on standby.

“As of Aug. 22, the agency confirmed that these dams are not currently spilling water from their reservoirs.”

The D-G said the risk of flooding is expected to peak by the end of August and into September, urging states and communities along the River Niger system to remain vigilant.

He said the agency will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates to the public.

NAN reports that the World Economic Forum said Nigeria witnessed the most devastating episode of seasonal floods in a decade in 2012, resulting in over 600 deaths and 1.3 million displacements from homes.

It added more than 200,000 houses and 266,000 acres of farmland were completely or partially damaged.

The last major flood emergency was between July and October 2012, when the Niger and Benue rivers overflowed their banks.