By Fatima Saka
The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has called the attention of general public to be vigilante as three dams are about to spill, according to the signal received from the management of dams operation at Kainji, Jebba dams on the main River Niger and Shiroro dam on the river Kaduna in Nigeria.
The Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), Engr. Clement Nze made this known on Friday in Abuja through a press release in Abuja.
Speaking on, the Director warned that monitoring the spilling is uncontrollable at time that the general public should be cognizance of safety of the dams to free up spaces also to accommodate water from the upstream countries and to safeguard the lives and livelihood of the population in the downstream region.
He said, “This is a flood warning signals and call for critical watched at this period”.
Furthermore, Engr. Clement said that the on River Benue Basin an information from Cameroonian Authorities noted that the management of Lagdo Dam Commenced regulation of water releases from the Lagdo Reservoir since on the 13th of September, 2022.
He also added that the releases from Lagdo dam contributed to the increase in the volume of flow of River Benue and its boundaries, the Faro and Mayo Belwa rivers which contributed to recent flooding in some part of Adamawa State.
The agency, however, urges the general public to be watchful and apply preventive measures to avert flooding.
“I wish to inform the state Governors, general public’s and stakeholders alike that the situation of the country’s inland reservoirs (Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro) and the Lagdo dam, present a likelihood of river flooding between and October ending.
“Hence, the need to put in place adequate measures and enhance the preparedness to mitigate any eventual flooding , particularly in all the states and communities that are on the main course of rivers Niger and Benue System in the following states like, Kebbi, Niger, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Rivers and Bayelsa”.
